CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Starting Thursday the State of Illinois is opening up COVID vaccinations to people under the age of 65 with underlying health conditions, but people in the Chicago area may have to wait awhile.
Governor Pritzker announced earlier this month that he planned to expand vaccination phase 1B — which includes seniors 65+ and frontline essential workers — to include younger people with certain underling health conditions, starting Thursday, Feb. 25.
"In light of a steadily increasing federal vaccine supply, Illinois is making plans to expand Phase 1B eligibility on February 25 to people who have comorbidities and underlying conditions as defined by the CDC," the governor's office said. "In addition, Illinois will also prioritize individuals with disabilities."
People ages 16 to 64 with the following conditions may be eligible for vaccines Thursday: cancer, chronic kidney disease, pulmonary diseases, smoking, diabetes, heart conditions, solid organ transplant, obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, and disabilities.
But it could be some time before appointments are available to those that qualify in the Chicago area. Most health departments said they don't have enough vaccine doses to expand eligibility.
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The city of Chicago, as well as Cook, Lake, DuPage, and Will counties’ health departments have said they do not plan to start vaccinating people under 65 with health conditions until there is an increase in vaccine supply or a decrease in demand from seniors and frontline essential workers.
The Kane County Health Department plans to phase in newly eligible residents as more vaccine becomes available.
Kankakee County is allowing people under age 65 with health conditions to sign up to be notified when appointments are available, but vaccinations are unlikely to start for those people Thursday, said John Bevis, administrator of the Kankakee County Health Department.
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Many hospitals are taking their cues from their county health departments. Health systems including Amita Health, University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, and Loyola Medicine said they do not plan to immediately expand vaccinations.
Walmart will not expand vaccinations Thursday at its eight Chicago stores that are inoculating people. Additionally, representatives for Walgreens and Mariano’s said they will not expand vaccine eligibility Thursday at their stores in counties that are not expanding eligibility.
However, Jewel-Osco “is following the state of Illinois Phase 1b expanded guidelines that take effect February 25,” spokeswoman Mary Frances Trucco said in an email.