SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — More essential workers, who were previously ineligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, will be eligible beginning Monday, March 22.
This comes as the state reaches 100,000 COVID-19 vaccinations each day with weekly shipments of vaccine projected to surpass one million doses in April.
Beginning Monday, higher education staff, government workers, and media will be eligible for vaccinations.
Beginning Monday, March 29, food and beverage workers, construction trade workers, and religious leaders will be eligible for the vaccine.
“Before Illinois expands eligibility to all residents 16 years and older on April 12, I’m proud to announce expanded eligibility for additional groups of more vulnerable populations,” said Gov. J.B. Pritzker. “With weekly shipments to Illinois surpassing one million doses in April, we are on track to save lives and bring this pandemic to an end.”
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said the state will continue to prioritize those age 65 and older, as well as health care workers and individuals with underlying medical conditions.
“We want to maintain our momentum going forward and continue to increase our march towards herd immunity,” said Ezike.
The first delivery of vaccines to Illinois in December was about 109,000 doses, a figure that has grown to more than 800,000 the week of March 15 and is projected to surpass one million doses per week in April.
