- Credibility:
LITTLE VILLAGE — Two coronavirus vaccination sites are opening this week in Little Village as part of the city’s Protect Chicago Plus program.
Appointments are required — but anyone who is 18 or older and lives in the South Lawndale community area can be vaccinated at the sites. Vaccinations are free and are available regardless of a person’s insurance or residency status.
Vaccinations start Wednesday at Esperanza Health’s Little Village clinic, 2001 S. California Ave., and at Enlace Chicago, 2759 S. Harding Ave. Appointments are being accepted now.
To set up an appointment, text “Little Village” to 773-207-3133. Esperanza staff members will reply within 72 hours to verify a person’s eligibility and schedule an appointment.
“After opening mass vaccination sites in Brighton Park and Gage Park, Esperanza is excited to launch these two new sites for our Little Village neighbors,” Dan Fulwiler, president and CEO of Esperanza said in a press release. “It’s been especially gratifying to do this work in coordination with our community partners and local leaders. This really has been a neighborhood-wide effort.”
Esperanza is asking people to share the news with older people and those with underlying health conditions because vaccine supply is still limited.
Enlace Chicago and Latinos Progresando are among community partners working with Esperanza and the city to get people vaccinated at the sites.
Enlace’s executive director Katya Nuques was “humbled and blessed” for the opportunity to serve the community by hosting a vaccination site.“
During the pandemic, we have helped with information, cash assistance, and referrals, but being able to collaborate on the vaccination effort has been amazing, Nuques said in a press release. “We are excited to see our community coming through the doors of our new building to get their vaccine.”
Chicago’s Latino community has faced more coronavirus than any other population in the city, with more than 85,000 confirmed cases. Latinos have accounted for 1,659 COVID-19 deaths in Chicago.
But when Chicago started its vaccination campaign in December, few shots were going to Latino people. Officials estimated about 53 percent of vaccinated Chicagoans were white, 14 percent Asian, 15 percent Black and 17 percent Latino.
Those numbers have improved as Chicago has opened vaccinations to more people and as the city started its Protect Chicago Plus program, which prioritizes sending resources — including vaccine doses — to communities most vulnerable to COVID-19, like Little Village.
In the face of a limited supply of vaccine, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health Dr. Allison Arwady said the city was committed to equity in its vaccination efforts.
“Our goal is to get the communities that have endured the heaviest burden of COVID-19 at or above the Citywide vaccination rate,” Arwady said. “We are thrilled to partner with Esperanza and other community partners, and remain committed to providing the vaccine and resources needed as we launch Protect Chicago Plus in Little Village.”
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