(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Illinois officials on Friday said people 16 and over will be able to receive a COVID-19 vaccination in regions where health departments have ample supply.
Illinoisans who want the vaccine must check with their local health departments for availability.
Illinois health officials previously announced that those 16 and older would be eligible starting April 12. They’re moving up that date because many local health departments have enough vaccine supplies — and also because of an uptick in coronavirus infections.
“Recent increases in hospital admissions and test positivity are concerning new developments,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a news release.
“We cannot move forward if our metrics are going backward.”
People are still urged to continue wearing masks in public and social-distancing, even as some restrictions are eased.
Vaccine distribution and demand for doses have varied between some areas of the state, including suburbs, and the city of Chicago. All regions are in some form of Phase 1B, which makes anyone 65 or over eligible for the vaccine, plus several types of essential workers.
Related
