The city of Chicago received more than 22,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Wednesday from the CDC and is sending part of that supply to the two largest airlines at O’Hare International Airport. Both United and America Airlines will start vaccinating qualified employees at the airport on Thursday. None of the carriers said how many doses they received.
And while United has said it will vaccinate Chicago employees at least 65 years of age or flight crew members, American said that all of its O’Hare workers would be eligible.
Illinois officials said they expected most of the 83,000 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. They are due to arrive on Wednesday and be distributed to mass vaccination sites.
Meanwhile, consultations at the United Center vaccination site begin on Thursday.
To sign up for a United Center appointment, visit www.zocdoc.com/vaccine or call the multilingual hotline (312) 746-4835 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday to Saturday and 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sundays.
And Wrigley Field, home to the Chicago Cubs, is being seen as a possible mass vaccination site, confirm the Cubs and Advocate Aurora Health.
A spokesman for the Cubs said they are arguing with the city about opening a location in Wrigley. Although shots are not fired in the field itself, some indoor and outdoor areas can be used.
The lawyer considers Wrigley Field a convenient option due to its proximity to the CTA.
RELATED: United Center COVID Vaccine Schedules Opened on Thursday, with Over 100,000 Vacancies Available
The Cubs are saying that if called upon, it would be an honor to play a role in ending the pandemic.
If Wrigley becomes a vaccination site, shots can be fired in the indoor foyers, in the outdoor plaza and possibly in the player’s parking lot.
AURORA HEALTH DEFENSE DECLARATION:
As community health leaders, we are intensely committed to doing everything in our power to carry out the vaccination process as quickly, fairly and safely as possible.
We are proud of the partnership in a possible mass vaccination site at Wrigley Field, which would potentially be authorized by the City of Chicago. If the location is designated and vaccine supplies from the city are available, Advocate Aurora Health will provide clinical staff and technical infrastructure.
This location is being considered as a convenient option for those who do not own a car, as it is easily accessible through the CTA. This is part of our continued focus on the partnership to ensure that residents of disproportionately affected communities have access to the vaccine as supplies are available.
We continue to believe that the vaccine is our best chance to end this pandemic and we continue to use our current, very limited supplies for our most vulnerable patients over the age of 65.
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