VaccineDES PLAINES – To help suburban Cook County residents in Phases 1A and 1B—including health care workers, front-line essential workers and residents age 65 and older—get vaccinated against COVID-19, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is spreading the word about Cook County’s new vaccine distribution website.

“The vaccine is a critical defense against the COVID-19 virus, both for individuals and for our community,” Murphy said. “The more people who get the vaccine, the closer we are to a full recovery.”

The Cook County Department of Public Health launched the COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program to begin vaccinating individuals in Phase 1B of Illinois’ vaccine distribution plan.

Residents of suburban Cook County who think they are eligible to be vaccinated in Phase 1A or 1B are encouraged to visit https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov/ and enter their information to be connected with a vaccine provider. Those without access to the internet can reach the Call Center 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1-833-308-1988.

Phase 1A of the state’s vaccination plan prioritized health care workers. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Phase 1B comprises residents over age 65 and front-line essential workers who carry a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure because they are unable to work from home or their work does not allow for safe social distancing. This includes:

  • First responders
  • Teachers, principals, classroom aides and other school staff
  • Food and agriculture workers
  • Manufacturing workers
  • Corrections officers and inmates
  • Postal workers
  • Public transit workers
  • Grocery store workers
  • Shelters and day care staff

Given data showing people of color die of COVID-19 at younger ages, Illinois lowered the CDC-recommended age eligibility by 10 years, from age 75 to age 65, to provide more equitable vaccine access to older Illinoisans.

Illinois has 1.3 million people who qualify as front-line essential workers and 1.9 million adults age 65 and over, totaling an estimated 3.2 million Illinoisans eligible to be vaccinated in Phase 1B.