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A Protect Chicago Plus vaccination facility.

CHICAGO — The city will soon move into the next phase of vaccinating people against coronavirus, making many more people eligible for the shots.

The city is in Phase 1B of its vaccination campaign, but 1C is expected to begin at the end of March. Dr. Allison Arwady, head of the Chicago Department of Public Health, has repeatedly said recently the city is still on track to move into 1C on or around March 29.

But some providers could start vaccinating people in 1C before then.

Here’s what you need to know:

Who Is Included In Phase 1C?

  • Chicagoans age 16 and older with underlying medical conditions. The city has not yet specified what medical conditions will be included.
  • Essential workers from these industries:
    • Transportation and logistics.
    • Water and wastewater.
    • Food service.
    • Shelter and housing (including construction).
    • Finance (for example, bank tellers).
    • Information technology and communications.
    • Energy.
    • Legal.
    • Media.
    • Public Safety (for example, engineers).
    • Higher Education.
    • Public health workers.
  • People from 1A and 1B who did not already get their vaccinations.

When Will I Be Eligible?

Chicago vaccine providers could start administering shots to people in the 1C category slightly early if they find their appointments are not being filled by people from 1B, Arwady said March 9.

Here’s the city’s tentative timeline:

  • Phase 1A: Continuing. Covers health care workers and people living and working in long-term care facilities.
  • Phase 1B: Continuing. Covers Chicagoans 65 and older and frontline essential workers.
  • Phase 1C: Expected to begin March 29. Covers other essential workers and people ages 16-64 with underlying medical conditions that put them at risk for severe cases of COVID-19.
  • Phase 2: Expected to begin May 31. Covers all Chicagoans 16 and older.

Children will likely not be vaccinated until the summer or later, Arwady has said.

Illinois started vaccinating people with underlying conditions Feb. 25, but Chicago has not done the same.

Read more: Coronavirus Vaccine Available To All Chicagoans By End Of May? City Reveals Tentative Plan

How To Get A Vaccination Appointment

If you are in Phase 1C, you cannot make an appointment yet. Check back for updates.

Read more: Here’s How You Can Get Vaccinated Against Coronavirus In Chicago

How To Get Updates

You can sign up with Chi COVID Coach to get updates from the city’s health department on its vaccination campaign.

You can check the health department’s website for information.

You can also contact Block Club’s free coronavirus hotline with questions or sign up for our free text alerts for breaking news.

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