CDPH Experts Discuss Fall Vaccine Rollout

With the new fall 2023 COVID-19 vaccine now available at clinics and pharmacies across Chicago, CDPH held a media briefing for multicultural outlets in both English and Spanish to discuss the importance of all Chicagoans age 6 months and up getting the COVID-19 vaccine and flu shots. Click the link to hear CDPH experts discuss COVID and the vaccine, and answer questions.

The new vaccine is formulated to target currently circulating variants. CDPH may sound like a broken record at this point, but we say it because it’s true: Being vaccinated is the number one way to protect yourself from serious illness from respiratory viruses this fall and winter.

With this fall’s rollout, there are some new developments to keep in mind. Vaccines have been commercialized and transitioned to the traditional healthcare market this year, but they should continue to be available at no cost to most Chicagoans. Those with private health insurance should go to an in-network pharmacy or provider. Call your insurance provider for details.

Those who are uninsured or underinsured have the following options:

• Visit a retail pharmacy that is participating in the Bridge Access Program.
  • Visit vaccines.gov or vacunas.gov (Spanish) and check the box for Bridge Access Program.
• Visit a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
  • Go to https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/ to find an FQHC near you.
  • Call ahead to make sure they have vaccine or call the City’s Hotline at 312.746.4835.
• Visit one of the three CDPH Immunization Clinics. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is highly encouraged. Create an account and register for an appointment at getvaxchi.chicago.gov or by calling the clinic.
  • ​​​​​​​Greater Lawn Clinic, 4150 W. 55th St., 312.745.1477
  • Uptown WIC Clinic, 845 W. Wilson Ave., 2nd level, 312.742.3227
  • Lower West Clinic, 1713 S. Ashland Ave., 312.743.1198
• Attend one of CDPH’s COVID-19 & Flu vaccine clinics at City Colleges of Chicago.
  • ​​​​​​​Saturday, October 21, Wilbur Wright College
  • Saturday, October 28, Olive Harvey College
  • Saturday, November 4, Richard J. Daley College
  • Saturday, November 11, Arthur Velasquez Institute
  • Saturday, November 18, Harry S. Truman College
  • Saturday, December 2, Kennedy-King College

For homebound seniors and those with limited mobility, CDPH continues to offer its At Home Vaccination program, which operates Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. To make an appt, call 312.746.4835 or go to https://chicago.gov/athome

Those who feel sick with symptoms of COVID-19 should take a test. Every U.S. household can once again place an order to receive four more free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. For more information or to place an order, visit COVIDTests.gov

In addition, the FDA has extended the expiration dates of a number of different at-home test brands, lengthening their shelf lives up to two years. For the full list of test kits with extended expiration dates, visit: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list

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