Residents Overview

COVID-19 Vaccination Call Center Announced

With Vaccine Allocations Increasing, Illinois Launches Call Center to Bridge Digital Divide and Assist with Vaccine Appointments

Vaccine Appointment Call Center open 7 days a week at 833-621-1284

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today launched the Vaccine Appointment Call Center to assist people who do not have access to or who have difficulty navigating online services in making appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. As Illinois begins to receive significantly more vaccine from the federal government and appointments become more widely available, this call center will be critical in bridging the digital divide and ensuring the vaccine reaches all communities.

“We want to make sure our most vulnerable populations, such as our seniors and individuals in heavily impacted communities who may not have access to online services, are able to make appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.  “While vaccine is still limited, our allocations are increasing significantly and we want all Illinoisans to have access as quickly and easily as possible.”

Currently, the call center is open seven days a week from 6 am to midnight.  There are approximately 500 agents answering calls with the ability to expand during peak periods.  The call center has English and Spanish speaking call agents with the availability for translation into other languages.

Call agents will help individuals who do have access to online services navigate the various registration sites.  However, if the individual does not have access to online services or is unable to navigate the site, the agent will make an appointment on their behalf.  Individuals will need to provide the agent with their name, address, email (if available), mobile phone number, date of birth, and eligibility.  The agent WILL NOT ask for any financial information and the call center WILL NOT share information with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

During heavy calling periods, callers could experience wait times before speaking with a call agent.  In the coming week, the call center will offer the option for callers to leave a message and be called back when an agent is available.

The toll-free Vaccine Appointment Call Center phone number is 833-621-1284 and can take TTY calls.  For general questions about COVID-19 and Illinois’ guidance, call 800-889-3931 or email DPH.SICK@illinois.gov.

Governor Pritzker Announces COVID-19 Vaccination Website  1/25/21

Coronavirus.Illinois.Gov Will Host Vaccination Locations, Vaccination Appointment Information, FAQs, & Updates on Vaccination Plan

UPDATE  2/10/21      Gov. Pritzker Announces Expansion of Phase 1B Eligibility on February 25th
Phase 1B Eligibility Will Expand to Individuals With Comorbidities and Underlying Conditions; Will Prioritize Those with Disabilities

QUINCY — In light of a steadily increasing federal vaccine supply, Illinois is making plans to expand Phase 1B eligibility on February 25 to people who have comorbidities and underlying conditions as defined by the CDC. In addition, Illinois will also prioritize individuals with disabilities.

The Pritzker administration will begin working with local health departments and other providers across the state to include these additional higher-risk individuals into their community vaccination plans in the weeks ahead. Those health departments that have substantially completed their existing Phase 1B population prior to the February 25 statewide expansion date will be able to move forward earlier at the determination of local public health officials and IDPH.

This expansion applies to individuals 16 and older who aren’t otherwise covered in previous eligibility categories.

In accordance with the CDC guidelines, Illinois is using the below guiding framework for what qualifies as a high-risk medical condition once Phase 1B expands on February 25. 

This list is subject to change as guidance evolves and does not reflect an order of priority:

• Cancer
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Diabetes
• Heart Condition
• Immunocompromised State from a Solid Organ Transplant
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Pulmonary Disease
• Sickle Cell Disease

To date, the State of Illinois has used more than 78 percent of its vaccine on hand (not including the federal government’s Long-Term Care Vaccination program and the separate supply of the City of Chicago). All three vaccination efforts have together delivered approximately 1.5 million shots, including 1.15 million first doses, to date.

Illinois’ current statewide seven-day rolling case positivity rate is 3.3 percent as of February 10 – the lowest rate since July 2020.