Tens of thousands of consultations are open, but are not available to be booked. Instead, they are held by five Chicago-specific postal codes to ensure that doses are evenly distributed to the city’s most vulnerable populations.
Residents living in 60608, 60619, 60620, 60649 and 60652 can apply for these unfilled appointments by visiting https://events.juvare.com/chicago/UCPOD/ and using the voucher code CCVICHICAGO or by calling 312-746 -4835.
The city warns that if it is determined that you have used an invalid voucher or a voucher for which you are not eligible, your consultation is subject to cancellation. You must verify your address to confirm your appointment.
Many consultations at the UC remain open. Out of a total of 110,000 consultations, only 40,000 were scheduled by Illinois residents aged 65 and over and only 10,000 by Chicago residents in 1B or more.
The rest was restarted after most senior appointments went to people outside the city.
“We have to do this in a way that is consistent with equity, and that is extremely important,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
WATCH | Organizations that help Pilsen residents get vaccinations at the United Center
With its large immigrant community, mainly Latinx, Pilsen is within one of the five postal codes that the city of Chicago has designated to receive priority access to the vaccine.
“Far away, sometimes for people, is relative,” said the 25th District Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez. “For communities like ours, immigrant communities, vaccination in the neighborhood is critical.”
Angélica Cruz, a Pilsen resident, saw the flyer with the link to sign up for Facebook on Wednesday morning. It was posted by someone she knew and trusted.
“They only ask for your name, your date of birth and where you live, just to verify that you are at that zip code and immediately you receive an email saying that you got that appointment,” said Cruz.
Direct disclosure is how the city trusts to spread the word. In the case of Cruz, it was the Pilsen Resurrection Project that shared the information with her.
“We have a network of community browsers, or promoters, and what we did was to notify immediately, send the link, this is the information. This is the code you need, all in Spanish so that they could mobilize quickly and let everyone on their own networks know, “said Erendira Rendón, The Resurrection Project.
Trust is the key. The hesitation of vaccination by the Negras and Latinx communities remains a problem. Language barriers and sheer fear of those who run the United Center are one of the main problems that continue to plague efforts to vaccinate immigrants, in particular.
“There has been a lot of apprehension about going to these mass vaccination sites mainly because of the military presence,” said Esther Corpuz, of the Alivio Medical Center. “And questions in their minds if they are safe there.”
RELATED: United Center’s Mass Vaccination Sites, Des Plaines Begin to Accept Commitments
The United Center had its pre-opening on Tuesday and opened fully for all appointments scheduled on Wednesday.
Jeff Ginex had his chance at UC on Wednesday, but on Tuesday night he received a message saying he canceled his appointment. However, he never did, so he left anyway.
“You know everything is wrong now, you just roll with the punches,” said Ginex.
Jim Hubler, who had his chance on Wednesday, said that while the eligibility rules continue to change, he is giving government officials a break.
“I am frustrated, but I also appreciate the magnitude of the problem and the fact that it is the first time that they are doing this and there are problems getting the vaccine,” said Hubler.
At full capacity, the site administered by the federal government expects to administer 6,000 doses per day. It will remain open seven days a week for eight weeks, while people get their first and second injections.
The 30,000-square-foot facility under half a dozen air-conditioned tents begins with a check-in station. After check-in, people with scheduled appointments will be taken to one of three dozen vaccination stations, all spaced 6 feet apart, with injections administered by a 101st Airborne medical team, who arrived in Chicago on Friday. market.
The facility also includes a post-injection observation tent, as well as restrooms and transportation services.
Vaccination will take place in Parking E, northeast of the arena. Vaccination at the drive-up will be at Parking C. People who need parking can use Lot A.
RELATED: Opening of Cook County’s COVID Vaccine Site in Des Plaines
Copyright © 2021 WLS-TV. All rights reserved.