COVID vaccine & booster near me in Illinois

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

• Where can I get a COVID vaccine in Illinois?

  The COVID vaccine is currently available to eligible individuals in California from most retail pharmacies, hospitals, healthcare centers, urgent care clinics, doctors offices and community vaccination hubs. Appointments are required at most locations.

• Who is eligible to get the COVID vaccine in Illinois?

  As of November 2, the Pfizer vaccine has received EUA from the FDA and approval from the CDC to vaccinate kids 5-11 years old. At this point, everyone 5+ years old in Illinois are eligible for the COVID vaccine. The CDC recommends everyone ages 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against COVID-19. Vaccines for children under 5 years old are still awaiting results of clinical trials and approval from the FDA.
  

• When can my child get the shot in Illinois?

  Clinical trials are currently underway to determine whether the vaccines are safe and effective for use for younger children 11 years old and younger. While it is possible that a vaccine will be approved for use in these age groups before the start of school in August 2021, Dr. Anthony Fauci recently stated during a White House COVID-19 response briefing that there could be "enough information to be able to safely vaccinate children of virtually any age" by the end of the year, citing recent data from Pfizer on the safety and efficacy of its vaccine in adolescents. While these age groups remain unvaccinated, social distancing and masking policies will keep your child safe from infection. We will update this page as the situation develops.

• What pharmacies are administering the COVID vaccine in Illinois?

  Independent pharmacies, as well as regional and national chains, are administering the COVID vaccine across the country. Most are partnered with HHS directly to make the vaccine available as quickly as possible. Here are a few of the major pharmacy chains administering the vaccine with details on how to register for an appointment:

  • Albertsons. Albertsons will be making the COVID vaccine available at stores nationwide based on regional distribution and eligibility schedules. Appointments fill up fast and they will release appointments as they receive supply.
  • CVS. CVS stores nationwide are adding the COVID vaccine to their online schedule as it becomes available in each market, allowing people to schedule both their first and second doses (as applicable).
  • Costco. Costco pharmacies will be administering COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are available, in accordance with CDC and state guidelines. Register on their website. Note: Please do not contact the local Costco pharmacy as they are unable to schedule an appointment or provide current eligibility requirements.
  • Kroger. Kroger is partnering with federal and state agencies to deliver one million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine per week across their pharmacies, clinics, and off-site events. Their website will be regularly updated with information on local availability.
  • Rite Aid. Rite Aid pharmacies are scheduling vaccine appointments in accordance with local and state eligibility requirements. Check the linked PDF for the latest details. Note: Please do not call your local Rite Aid pharmacy for a vaccine appointment.
  • Target. Target expects to be able to start distributing the COVID vaccine in partnership with CVS and their on-site pharmacy locations. Check the CVS pharmacy website for updates and dates when more vaccines will become available.
  • Walgreens. Walgreens will be providing COVID vaccines to consumers at all of its 9,000+ store locations. Check their website to see which locations presently offer the vaccine and their appointment availability.
  • Walmart. Walmart is administering the vaccines based on state and federal eligibility guidelines and is scheduling appointments at thousands of their stores nationwide. Check their website often for availability as the vaccine continues rolling out to more stores.

• How much does the COVID vaccine cost?

  No fees will be charged to get vaccinated. You may be required to provide insurance information when you receive your vaccine. If there is a charge associated with administration of the vaccine, your insurance or the Health Resources and Services Administration's Provider Relieve Fund will compensate providers with no cost to you.

• Do I need to be a Illinois resident to receive the vaccine?

  Proof of state (or even US) residency will not be required in order to receive a COVID vaccine. Any personal information shared with vaccination centers can not be used for civil or criminal prosecution.

• Will I be able to receive the vaccine if I’ve already contracted COVID-19?

  Yes, people who have had COVID-19 can still get the vaccine. The CDC recommends you wait 90 days after you have recovered to receive it.

• Do I need to keep wearing a mask and social distancing after I have been vaccinated?

  For the most part, yes. Social distancing and masking policies are still in effect after you have been vaccinated. Gatherings of individuals who have been fully vaccinated for two weeks are now allowed, as well as gatherings of up to two unvaccinated households with no medically vulnerable members.

• How long will the COVID vaccine last?

  New research finds that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines provide viral immunity for at least 6 months, but since COVID-19 is so new, experts aren’t sure if immunity will wane after that. A vaccine is a medicine designed to defend against diseases by introducing the immune system to a virus in a safe way. This process allows the immune system to learn how to defeat it by generating antibodies specific to the virus. These antibodies will help ward off future infections and in some cases prevent re-infection. Scientists are still researching how long antibodies last for coronavirus (COVID-19), which could inform how long a vaccine will last.

• Am I eligible for a COVID vaccine booster shot?

  According to the CDC, COVID-19 Vaccine booster shots are available for the following Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients who completed their initial series at least 6 months ago and are:

  • 65 years and older
  • Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
  • Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
  • Age 18+ who work in high-risk settings
  • Age 18+ who live in high-risk settings