CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The newest COVID-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in Chicago sometime this week.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the "one-and-done vaccine", as you only need one shot.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she expects shipments of the new Johnson & Johnson single-shot vaccine in the city either Monday or Tuesday; and that she is excited about the latest tool in getting people vaccinated against COVID-19.
"Obviously we will put it to work as soon as we get it," Lightfoot said. "CDPH has been preparing now for some time as we saw the Johnson & Johnson vaccine kind of moving through the regulatory approval process. And it gives us obviously another tool to use to get people vaccinated. So we’re excited for that opportunity.”
Johnson & Johnson initially is providing a few million doses of its vaccine, with shipments to states expected to begin Monday. By the end of March, the pharmaceutical giant has said it expects to deliver 20 million doses, ramping up to 100 million doses by summer.
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The arrival of a third vaccine option comes at a perfect time in Chicago.
On March 10, the federal government will open a mass vaccination site at the United Center. Seniors 65+ will be the targeted group followed by all those who currently qualify to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, including those in 1B+ with underlying conditions.
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“We’ve got about a third of our seniors that have been vaccinated in Chicago and across Cook County. But we’ve got about 250,000 more in the city that we really need — either bring them to the vaccine or bring the vaccine to them,” Lightfoot said.
“For every senior that we vaccinate, we’re saving a specific number of lives. They are the most important folks to get vaccinated, in part, because they’re the most vulnerable. They have underlying conditions. And we save lives by vaccinating our seniors.”
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Meanwhile, two new community vaccination sites opened Monday in the Englewood and West Englewood neighborhoods. According to the Mayor's Office, 4,000 doses of the vaccine are expected to be distributed at those sites this month.
The sites in Englewood and West Englewood were specifically targeted and launched as part of the city’s Protect Chicago Plus initiative, which aims to ensure equity in vaccine distribution among the city’s diverse communities.
Protect Chicago Plus aims to eliminate the barriers that may prevent vulnerable residents from receiving their vaccines. By providing access directly within the community, residents are not burdened with traveling outside of their neighborhood to get vaccinated. On the first day, more than 100 community residents received their first dose of the vaccine at the two sites.
For more information regarding Protect Chicago Plus and Chicago’s vaccination distribution plans, visit Chicago.gov/covidvax.