How to Get a COVID Vaccine Appointment in Illinois

With both Illinois and Chicago opening COVID vaccine eligibility to millions of residents, here's a look at where you can get vaccinated and how to schedule an appointment.

Illinois expanded COVID vaccine eligibility to all residents age 16 and older, except for in the city of Chicago, on Monday. Chicago did not open eligibility with the rest of the state and has been in Phase 1C of its vaccine rollout since March 29.

For a complete look at who qualifies for the COVID vaccine in Chicago's Phase 1C, click here

Chicago will open COVID vaccine eligibility to all residents age 16 and older on April 19, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said last week. But until then, Chicago residents can sign up for COVID vaccine appointments in other parts of Illinois outside of the city, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said.

There are several ways eligible residents will be able to get vaccinated, but officials have urged patience as demand for the vaccine continues to outpace supply.

Here's a breakdown of where you can get vaccinated and how to get an appointment, when available:

National Guard and State-Run Sites

• To make an appointment through a state-run vaccination site, click here. For a map of vaccination locations in Illinois or to find a site near you, click here. Note: those who schedule an appointment through these sites will need:
  • You may be required to provide proof of employment as health care personnel using an employee ID, a recent letter from your employer, or a recent pay stub. If you are not eligible in this phase, your vaccination appointment will be rejected.
• For a list of sites where you can get vaccinated regardless of your ZIP code click here.

Here's a full list of mass vaccination locations in the state and how to sign up for appointments, as of April 6:

Location	Address	Appointment	Daily Dose capability (when vaccines are available)
Adams County: Oakley Lindsey Center	300 Civic Center Plaza, Quincy IL	https://www.adamscountytogether.com/	2,100
Cook County: Tinley Park Convention Center	18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park, IL	https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov	2,160
Cook County: Triton College	2000 5th Ave., River Grove, IL	https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov	540
Cook County: South Suburban College	15800 State St., South Holland IL	https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov	540
Cook County: Former K-Mart	1155 E Oakton St, Des Plaines, IL	https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov	1,890
Cook County: Former HOBO	7600 Roosevelt Rd., Forest Park IL	https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov	2,160
DuPage County Fairgrounds, Building 1	2015 Manchester Rd, Wheaton, IL	https://www.dupagehealth.org/667/COVID-19-Vaccine	1,000
Grundy County: Shabbona Middle School	725 School St, Morris, IL	https://www.grundyco.org/health/	540
Jackson County: Banterra Center	Southern Illinois University, Carbondale IL	http://www.jchdonline.org/	540
Jackson County: Carbondale Civic Center	200 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale IL	http://www.jchdonline.org/	540
Kane County: Former Carson Pirie Scott	970 North Lake St., Aurora IL.	https://www.kanevax.org/	270
Kane County: Former Sam’s Club	501 N. Randall Rd., Batavia IL	https://www.kanevax.org/	750
Kane County: Elgin Eastside Recreation Center	1800 E. Chicago Street, Elgin IL	https://www.kanevax.org/	270
Lake County: Community Based Testing Center	102 W. Water Street Waukegan IL	https://allvax.lakecohealth.org/s/?language=en_US	400
Madison County: Gateway Convention Center	1 Gateway Drive., Collinsville IL	https://www.co.madison.il.us/departments/health/index.php	1350
Sangamon County: Orr Building	Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield IL	http://www.SCDPH.org	1620
St. Clair County: Belle-Clair Fairgrounds	200 S. Belt E #2650, Belleville IL	https://www.co.st-clair.il.us/departments/health-department	1080
Will County: Former Toys R Us	3128 Voyager Lane Joliet IL	https://bit.ly/3m1qqkw	800
Winnebago County: Former K-Mart	1321 Sandy Hollow Rd., Rockford IL	https://www.wchd.org/	1350
City of Chicago: United Center	1901 W. Madison Street, Chicago IL	https://www.zocdoc.com/vaccine/screener?state=IL	Chicago/ Cook County Only
DeKalb County: NIU Convocation Center	1525 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, IL	https://health.dekalbcounty.org/about/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination/	County residents only
Lake County Fairgrounds	1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake, IL	https://allvax.lakecohealth.org/s/?language=en_US	Individuals who live and work in County
McHenry County: Former K-Mart	1900 N. Richmond Ave., Woodstock IL	https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/county-government/departments-a-i/health-department/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/vaccine-locations	County residents only
McLean County: Grossinger Motors Arena	101 S. Madison Street, Bloomington IL	https://health.mcleancountyil.gov/790/COVID-19-Vaccine	County residents only
Rock Island County: Camden Centre	2701 1st Street East, Milan IL	https://richd.org/	County residents Only
Vermilion County: Danville Community College	2000 E. Main Street, Danville IL	https://vchd.org/	County residents only
Vermilion County: Vermilion Regional Airport	22633 N. Bowman Avenue, Danville IL	https://vchd.org/	County residents only

United Center Mass Vaccination Site

Vaccinations began March 9 at a mass vaccination clinic at the United Center in Chicago, with up to 6,000 doses per day at full capacity.

The site is open to all Chicagoans age 65 and older, as well as residents of certain "vulnerable, under-vaccinated" ZIP codes that are being targeted with specific outreach. Those ZIP codes are: 60608, 60609, 60619, 60620, 60621, 60623, 60624, 60628, 60629, 60632, 60636, 60639, 60644, 60649, 60651, 60652 and 60653.

When available, some appointments may open for Chicago residents with qualifying underlying health conditions who live outside of the specified ZIP codes. Those appointments will appear in Zocdoc as they become available.

There are currently two options for making appointments: online and through a call center.

• To register online, visit Zocdoc.com/vaccine. The web site is projected to handle much higher volume of appointment requests. Zocdoc will show real-time appointment availability and eligible residents will then be able to select a date/time and book an appointment online. Date of birth will be required when booking an appointment to confirm vaccine eligibility.
• To register by phone, call (312) 746-4835. To help bridge the digital divide, a multi-lingual call center will be available to help seniors make an appointment.  This call center will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Given the anticipated high demand for appointments, residents who can use the website should book their appointments online. While the call center has 200 staffers, those who need to use the call center will very likely experience lengthy wait times.

The site will operate seven days a week for eight weeks under the federal government’s vaccination pilot program.

Wrigley Field, Chicago State University Mass Vaccination Sites

The city of Chicago opened two mass vaccinations on April 5: one at Chicago State University and a second just outside Wrigley Field.

Appointments at the Chicago State University site can be made on the city's website or by calling (312) 746-4835, but "to ensure equitable distribution," initial appointments are only available to residents of the following ZIP codes: 60617, 60619, 60620, 60621, 60628, 60633, 60636, 60643, 60649, 60655 and 60827. Proof of address is required and anyone who does not live in those ZIP codes will have their appointments canceled.

 A limited number of appointments for the vaccination site at the American Airlines Conference Center at Gallagher Way next to Wrigley Field will be posted to Zocdoc.com/vaccine each week, the city says, advising all Chicago residents eligible in Phase 1C to check the site regularly.

Grocery Stores, Drug Stores and Pharmacies

Vaccinations are now available at several Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, Kroger, Mariano’s, Meijer, Walgreens, and Walmart pharmacies in Illinois.

• For more information on how those eligible can get an appointment through Walgreens click here. Note: those who schedule an appointment will need:
  • An appointment confirmation email
  • A COVID-19 Vaccination Authorization Form with your registration code (if applicable)
  • State ID, valid driver’s license or other government-issued ID
  • Work ID or other document to show proof of employment (for healthcare workers, frontline and essential workers only)
  • Medical and/or pharmacy benefit insurance card
  • Download, print and complete the vaccination consent form. If you don’t bring the completed form, you will need to complete it at the pharmacy before your vaccination.
• For more information on how those eligible can get an appointment through Jewel-Osco click here. Note: those who schedule an appointment will need:
  • Proof of employment (badge, paystub, uniform, etc. if applicable)
  • Medical license (if applicable)
  • Drivers license
  • Medical and prescription insurance cards
  • Last 4 digits of SSN
• For more information on how those eligible can get an appointment through Hy-Vee click here.
  • Monday-Friday: 7am – 7pm and Saturday-Sunday: 9am – 5pm (most locations)
• For more information on how those eligible can sign-up for appointments through Kroger or Mariano's, click here. The company says "limited quantities are available at select locations." For more information click here.
• For more information on how those eligible can sign-up for appointments through Meijer, click here.
  • Vaccinations will be offered either through a local Meijer Pharmacy or possibly through an offsite Meijer clinic
  • Those looking to get a vaccine through Meijer can pre-register online through the link above.
  • Other ways to register include:
    • Text "COVID" to 75049 to receive updates directly to your phone. When appointments become available you will receive a text with the option to accept, defer or be removed from the list.
    • Call your local Meijer Pharmacy
• For more information on how those eligible can sign-up for appointments through Walmart, click here.
• For more information on how those eligible can get an appointment through CVS click here. Note: those who schedule an appointment will need:
  • Medical and/or pharmacy benefit insurance card or
  • State ID, valid driver’s license, other government-issued ID or valid Social Security number
  • Eligibility requirements include:
    • Must live or work in Illinois
    • People age 65+
    • Qualifying essential workers who are public facing and cannot distance
    • People with specific health-complicating conditions or status
    • Residents and staff of long-term and congregate care
    • NOTE: Chicago is limited to people age 65+, health care workers, or grocery/food/agriculture workers who live or work in the city.

Hospitals and Health Systems

Vaccine plans are also in place at several area hospitals and health systems. Illinois residents are encouraged to reach out to their health care provider directly for a potential appointment.

Northwestern Medicine

Patients will be contacted when they are eligible by:

• Email if they have a MyNM account. If they do not have an account, one may be established here.
• Phone, text message or email in the same way they receive appointment reminders.
• When you are contacted, you will receive further instructions regarding scheduling online.

Oak Street Health

• Due to high demand, Oak Street Health is focusing on vaccinating patients and community members who live near our centers and who are 65+ in age.
• Fill out form online, employee will contact you to schedule appointment: www.oakstreethealth.com/covid-19-vaccine

UChicago Medicine:

• Vaccinating current patients 65+ and will be using a lottery to notify people about when they’re eligible.
  • This is in addition to vaccination of healthcare workers (those associated with the hospital system and those who are unaffiliated with the organization.)
• There’s no sign-up (with the exception of a sign-up for unaffiliated healthcare workers). Since this is for current patients, the hospital is contacting people as their names come up in the lottery.
• Lottery began with patients 75+ who live in 15 South Side zip codes. Then, it expanded to those who are 65+ in those zip codes. Then, the zip code limitation was lifted.
• UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial has not yet begun patient vaccination. Additional information will be provided as that vaccination effort begins.

UI Health

• UI Health is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine at four locations: Credit Union 1 Arena,  Mile Square Health Center in Englewood, Mile Square Back of the Yards and Mile Square at Humboldt Park.
• For more information click here.

Rush University Medical Center

• Rush University Medical Center (Chicago): Rush University Medical Center is vaccinating people ages 65 and older, frontline essential workers and individuals with certain underlying health conditions that put people at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
  • Eligible patients at Rush University Medical Center can schedule an appointment or click here to learn more.
• Rush Copley Medical Center (Aurora): As the supply of the vaccine is available, Rush Copley Medical Group is using MyChart to contact existing patients who are 65 and older and existing patients with underlying conditions that make them eligible for vaccination under the state’s criteria for expanded Phase 1B. Learn more here.
• Rush Oak Park Hospital: Rush Oak Park Hospital is currently delivering the COVID-19 vaccine to people 65 and older, frontline essential workers and individuals with certain underlying health conditions. Learn more here.

Advocate Health Care

• Advocate Health Care is vaccinating "patients age 16 and older based on state and CDC guidelines."
• Appointments are required to get vaccinated. Learn more or schedule your appointment here.

AMITA Health

• "In accordance with public health guidelines, we are reaching out initially to eligible AMITA Health patients to schedule vaccine appointments when they are available," the health system's website reads. "COVID-19 vaccine supply is very limited at this time."
• More information here.

In addition to the above hospital and health systems, the state announced on Feb. 10 a number of medical centers and hospitals offering vaccines. They include:

• Carle Foundation Hospital – Champaign
• Elmhurst Hospital – Downers Grove
• Gibson Area Hospital – Gibson City
• HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital – O’Fallon
• Iroquois Memorial Hospital – Watseka
• Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital and Center for Health Services – (3 locations Polo, Oregon, Dixon)
• Massac Memorial Hospital – Metropolis
• McDonough District Hospital Health Services – Macomb
• Riverside Medical Center – Kankakee (2 locations)
• Swedish Hospital – Chicago
• University of Illinois Health – Chicago

On March 11, nine "critical access" hospitals were added to the program:

• Taylorville Memorial Hospital, Christian County
• Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services, Ford County
• Hamilton Memorial Hospital District, Hamilton County
• Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Logan County
• Genesis Medical Center Aledo, Mercer County
• Hillsboro Area Hospital, Montgomery County
• Hopedale Medical Complex, Tazewell County
• Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center, Vermilion County
• Fairfield Memorial Hospital, Wayne County

Several Illinois hospitals will also receive additional COVID vaccine doses from the state as part of a new pilot program aimed at increasing equitable distribution, officials announced on March 3. The hospitals in the program include:

Cook & Collar Counties:
• Family Christian Health Center, Cook County
 • Chicago Behavioral Hospital, Cook County
 • AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center, DuPage County
 • Lake County Health Department and FQHC, Lake County
Central Illinois:
• Crossing Healthcare, Macon County
Metro East:
• Touchette Regional Hospital, St. Clair County
Southern Illinois:
• Rural Health, Inc., Union County
 • SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, Marion County
Quad Cities:
• Community Health Care, Inc., Rock Island County

County Health Departments

Vaccinations are also being provided by most local health departments, according to the governor's office. The list now on the state's website includes:

• DeKalb County Health Department – 2550 N. Annie Glidden Rd., DeKalb
• DuPage County Health Department – 111 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton
• Ogle County Health Department – 907 W. Pines Rd, Oregon; and 510 Lincoln Hwy, Rochelle
• Putnam County Health Department – 220 E. High St., Hennepin
• Rock Island County Health Department – 2112 25th Ave., Rock Island
• Sangamon County Department of Public Health – 2833 S. Grand Ave. East, Springfield
• Stickney Public Health District – 5635 State Rd., Burbank
• Vermilion County Health Department – 200 S. College St., Danville
• Warren County Health Department – 240 S. Main St., Monmouth
• Wayne County Health Department – 405 N. Basin Rd., Fairfield
• Whiteside County Health Department – 1300 W. 2nd St., Rock Falls

On Feb. 1, several other Illinois health departments were added to the list:

• Boone County Health Department
• Calhoun County Health Department
• Cumberland County Health Department
• Grundy County Health Department
• Jasper County Health Department
• Lawrence County Health Department
• Logan County Health Department
• McDonough District Hospital Health Services
• Southern 7 Health Department
  • Alexander County
  • Hardin County
  • Johnson County
  • Massac County
  • Pope County
  • Pulaski County
  • Union County

By Feb. 10, the state added the following locations:

• Clark County Health Department - Martinsville
• Crawford County Health Department – Robinson
• Franklin Williamson Bi-County Health Department – West Frankfort
• Jo Daviess County Health Department – (2 locations Elizabeth and Galena)
• Lee County Health Department – Dixon
• Madison County Health Department – Wood River
• Schuyler County Health Department – Rushville

Vaccine Rollout Plans and Information by County

For information on where to get vaccinated in each county, here's a list of Chicago-area county information sites:

• Cook County: A website for residents offers information and appointments as they become available. Click here for more. A call center is also available at (833) 308-1988.
• DeKalb County: For the latest information and updates, click here. To sign up for notifications, click here.
• DuPage County: For the latest information and update, sign up for alerts on when you can get an appointment here.
  • NOTE: As of Feb. 10, the DuPage County Health Department's community vaccine clinic has moved to the DuPage County Fairgrounds at 2015 Manchester Rd.
    • Those looking to register for the vaccine at the fairgrounds can click here. Vaccinations will be available by appointment only to those who have signed up on the DCHD registration form. 
• Grundy County: You can sign up for first or second dose appointments here.
• Kankakee County: To register for the COVID-19 vaccine, please fill out the Kankakee County Health Department survey here. After completing the survey, the health department says it will contact you when it is your turn to get vaccinated and schedule your vaccine appointment.
• Kane County: To sign up for a vaccine appointment, click here. For the latest information and updates from the county, click here.
• Kendall County: To sign up for a COVID vaccine appointment, click here.
• Lake County: To register for a COVID vaccine appointment, sign up through the Lake County AllVax Portal here.
• LaSalle County: Sign up for the county's upcoming vaccination clinics here.
• McHenry County: To find vaccination opportunities in McHenry County, please visit the county's COVID-19 Vaccine Locations page or call (815)334-4045. More information can be found here.
• Will County: Residents in this county are being asked to fill out a registration sign-up form here. Once signed up, residents will be notified when they can schedule an appointment. For additional information, click here.

Where to Go in Chicago

In Chicago, the city's top doctor said there are four ways in which residents will be able to get vaccinated.

The main route is through Zocdoc, where residents can schedule coronavirus vaccine appointments and get a real-time look at availability. The platform will show appointment availability for city POD sites, as well as "care organizations" like AMITA Health, Erie Family Health, Innovative Express Care and Rush University Medical Center.

It also offers appointments for the United Center, Wrigley Field and Chicago State University mass vaccination sites.

Here's how to use it and where you can sign up.

The city said appointments will be added "on an ongoing basis as more vaccines are allocated to providers." Officials also expect more local healthcare providers - including other hospital systems and Federally Qualified Health Centers - will join in on the scheduling partnership.

Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady also said residents should check for vaccine appointments through a medical system or health care provider, through pharmacies, through a dedicated vaccination location like the points of dispensing sites, or through an employer.

Chicago officials say the best way to get updates on the vaccination rollout is through "Chi COVID Coach," a platform the Chicago Department of Public Health is using to monitor symptoms, giving information on testing in the city and help you get the latest details on the city's vaccination plan - including notification when you can register to get your vaccine.

You can sign up for Chi COVID Coach here.

For a full list of ways to make an appointment in Chicago, click here.