Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Health announcing anyone who has a serious medical condition can now be vaccinated. The state has moved into Phase 1B+ meaning health departments can now start vaccinating those who are more susceptible to the virus, "As states and cities across the country expand eligibility for the vaccine, it’s vital that the most medically vulnerable like those with heart disease, lung disease and cancer have access to the vaccine, regardless of their age,” said Governor J.B. Pritzker.
Per CDC guidelines the list of conditions includes cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, diabetes, heart conditions, immunosuppressed states from an organ transplant, smoking, obesity, pregnancy, pulmonary diseases, and sickle cell disease. The expanded eligibility also includes children 16 and older who have a disability or an underlying condition.
On Wednesday, the state administered a record 130,000 vaccines. The Pritzker Administration says there has been substantial progress toward vaccinating health care workers, seniors in long-term care facilities and other groups currently eligible. In March, state health officials expect to have an additional 100,000 doses per day of the COVID-19 vaccine from the federal government.
