CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to a Chicago vaccination site Tuesday came as the White House accelerates its schedule for distributing the COVID-19 vaccines. Meanwhile, Mayor Lightfoot said the city will keep pace.
Chicago has lagged a bit behind the rest of Illinois in expanding who can get the COVID-19 vaccines. Right now, it's essential workers and people with pre-existing conditions, in addition to seniors, first responders, and healthcare workers.
But now, the White House has moved up the date when all adults 16 and older will be eligible to be vaccinated against the coronavirus from May 1 to April 19. Mayor Lightfoot said the City of Chicago will meet that deadline, with a plea of patience to the public.
“We do want to be aligned with the president’s objective, but understanding that we need more vaccine," Lightfoot said.
But, the Mayor warns that just because essentially all adults will be eligible for the shots doesn’t mean everyone will be able to get appointments on the first day.
"I want to be clear: When we open up on April 19, that doesn’t mean that very day everybody’s gonna get access to vaccine...When we make these announcements, there will be some lag. We want people to go and sign up when it's their turn, but given the supply of vaccine it may be a few weeks or so before they get an appointment to be able to come in," Lightfoot said.
As was the case in earlier expansions, Mayor Lightfoot said people will need to have patience.
"So we just caution folks to be patient. And in the meantime, to be diligent," she said.
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