“Following the expansion of eligibility on April 12, appointments will be available for individuals 16 years or older. The Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine currently approved for 16 and 17 year olds. As such, it is important for these individuals to schedule at a Pfizer site,” the release reads.
Individuals age 16 and 17 must be accompanied to their appointment by a parent or guardian.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Thursday s new cases brought the state to 1,292,515 since the pandemic began last year. The number of new cases has continued to rise over recent weeks in Illinois, with some officials fearing that a new surge could be taking place.
I m excited to welcome @VP Kamala Harris to Chicago. Our team prioritized equity in the rollout of our COVID vaccines. I m looking forward to sharing details with her, Lightfoot said in a tweet.
The mayor has previously noted the city s efforts with equal distribution of the coronavirus vaccine, with aims to provide vaccinations to areas most impacted by the outbreak and those with low rates of vaccination.
Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff began their trip Thursday, first heading to Los Angeles, where they stayed through Easter Sunday. To start the week, the two will travel to Oakland, California before heading to Chicago.
The governor s comments come after reports indicated an announcement on the state s reopening plan was imminent.
Currently, Illinois is under Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan the governor announced early in the pandemic last year. Next up would be Phase 5, which marks a full reopening, but requires a widely available vaccine or highly effective treatment for coronavirus.
But in a state Senate health committee meeting Monday, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said a new reopening plan could be announced later this week.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Ezike said there may be one more phase between Phase 4 and Phase 5. Few details have been revealed, but one thing is certain: masks will continue to be mandated in the state, she said, adding that masks have to continue to be a mainstay.”
According to the Chicago Tribune, Ezike said there may be one more phase between Phase 4 and Phase 5. Few details have been revealed, but one thing is certain: masks will continue to be mandated in the state, she said, adding that masks have to continue to be a mainstay.”
A spokesperson for the governor confirmed Pritzker has been in discussions with industry and health experts.
Earlier this month, Texas became the biggest state to lift its mask rule, joining a rapidly growing movement by governors and other leaders across the U.S. to loosen COVID-19 restrictions despite pleas from health officials not to let their guard down yet.