DePaul continues to work with the Chicago Department of Public Health on its COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
This week, CDPH indicated to DePaul that faculty and staff members who work in higher education are currently projected to be included in phase 1c—the next phase in the city's vaccination distribution schedule. All DePaul employees would be considered part of this group. Student employees whose work requires them to be on campus also would be included.
Though phase 1c is estimated to begin March 29, please keep in mind the city's timeline is subject to change. DePaul will share more information as it becomes available. Keep an eye on Newsline for regular updates and new guidance.
Some DePaul employees are currently eligible to receive a vaccine because their role places them in the city's current phase, 1b. DePaul is reaching out to these employees and providing them information on how they can be vaccinated. The university encourages anyone who is otherwise eligible to receive the vaccine to do so.
The vaccine will be offered at no cost. While vaccination providers will be able to charge an administration fee for giving the shot, the providers can get this fee reimbursed by patients' insurance providers.
Faculty, staff and student employees also should watch their email for a survey from DePaulCommunityHealth@depaul.edu asking about interest in receiving the vaccine and ability to access it. This survey is being distributed upon guidance from CDPH. It will help to quantify vaccines needed and inform future educational efforts around vaccine safety and efficacy. Survey results will be anonymous and used for DePaul's planning purposes only.
CDPH shared the following updates this week on the city's vaccination efforts and how to get a vaccine if you are eligible.
Who can currently get a vaccine
Chicago continues to vaccinate individuals in phase 1a of the vaccine rollout – healthcare workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities – and recently moved into the early stages of 1b, including people age 65+ and prioritized essential worker groups. Vaccine supply remains extremely limited and patience is key.
- Even if you are eligible, it may take weeks to get an appointment.
- The city is getting 32,000-40,000 vaccines per week. There are 700,000 people in Chicago in phase 1b.
- Phase 1b is expected to continue through February and March.
How to get a vaccine
Just like getting a flu shot, there are multiple ways to receive a COVID-19 vaccine once you are eligible, but ALL require an appointment – there are no walk-in vaccinations.
- Your first contact should be your primary health care provider—the clinic, health center or hospital where you receive health services.
- If you do not have a primary care provider, you can use Zocdoc, a centralized vaccine appointment booking site. Chicagoans can visit zocdoc.com/vaccine, confirm their location and eligibility, and receive real-time appointment availability. Appointments are very limited but more will be added on an ongoing basis.
- There are currently four pharmacies offering vaccines, each has its own registration link. Visit these websites: Walgreens, Mariano's, Walmart and Jewel Osco.
- The city is also distributing vaccine through City College sites, known as PODS, but for now these are by appointment only for certain categories of frontline essential workers who may have difficulty otherwise accessing vaccine.