CVS offers COVID-19 vaccines in Chicago, Cook County

CVS is offering limited COVID-19 shots in Chicago and Cook County with plans to expand vaccinations.

The drug store chain said it has begun offering shots at an undisclosed store in Chicago as well as stores in Olympia Fields and Flossmoor. Residents seeking shots can go to www.cvs.com or use the pharmacy’s app to book appointments.

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In addition to the local sites, CVS is offering shots in Kankakee, Belleville, Hoopeston, Mendota and Pekin.

“We’re ready and willing to expand to more locations and offer additional COVID-19 vaccine appointments and are working with the city and state to do so,” a CVS spokesman said in an emailed statement.

All vaccinations are set up through appointments and no walk-in visitors will be accepted. Those without internet access can call CVS at 800 746-7287.

According to the CVS website, people who live or work in Illinois and meet the state’s guidelines for eligibility — which includes frontline essential workers, seniors and those with high-risk medical conditions like diabetes or obesity — for vaccinations can make appointments. All eight Illinois sites were fully booked as of Tuesday afternoon.

CVS is taking part in a national program that is getting supplies directly from the federal government, though state and Chicago officials have to give the company clearance to provide the vaccines widely throughout its store network.

Separately, the company has been vaccinating residents and staff at nursing homes in Illinois, a program that runs through the end of this month. As of Tuesday, CVS completed about 60% of its planned visits to 29 assisted living facilities in Chicago, administering more than 7,700 shots. CVS also completed its vaccination program at 30 skilled nursing homes in the city, giving almost 15,000 shots.

Other pharmacy chains giving shots in Chicago include Walgreens, Mariano’s, Walmart, Jewel Osco and Costco locations in Lincoln Park and on the West Side, according to the city. You can search vaccine locations by ZIP code at www.vaccinefinder.org.

Brett Chase’s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust.