We are pleased to announce big changes in access to COVID-19 vaccinations for people living with ALS in Illinois. The State is making plans to expand COVID-19 Phase 1B vaccination eligibility on February 25 to people who have comorbidities and underlying conditions as defined by the CDC, including those living with ALS. Caregivers for individuals living with ALS are already eligible for vaccinations under Phase 1A.
The City of Chicago along with the rest of Cook County, however, will not yet join the rest of the State of Illinois in expanding Phase 1B eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine, due to limited vaccine supply.
The Pritzker administration is working with local health departments and other providers across the state to include these additional higher-risk individuals into their community vaccination plans in the weeks ahead. Those health departments that have substantially completed their existing Phase 1B population prior to the February 25 statewide expansion date will be able to move forward earlier at the determination of local public health officials and Illinois Department of Public Health.
Individuals living with ALS throughout the state (outside of Chicago and Cook County) can access information to schedule a vaccination through their county’s health department. Caregivers (including Chicago and Cook County) can already register under Phase 1A.
Those people living with ALS who are seen at the Lois Insolia ALS Clinic at Northwestern Medicine should contact their doctor via MyChart to request medical documentation to qualify for vaccination under Phase 1B. Other questions about vaccinations should be directed to your physician.
We have updated our COVID-19 resources page with information about the safety of the vaccine, including links to your local county health departments where you can register yourself or your loved one to receive regular updates about when and where they can receive the COVID-19 vaccination.
