State officials on Monday announced the launch of two additional state-supported mass vaccination sites in Rockford and Collinsville.

The sites will launch today (Tuesday, Feb. 23) and each will ramp up to provide up to 1,350 doses per day at full capacity.

(CREDIT: mystateline.com)

Health officials emphasize that the Rockford site is not a “first come, first served” site. Vaccinations are by appointment only, and people who show up without an appointment will be sent away.

Gov. JB Pritzker is also activating additional members of the Illinois National Guard to support Winnebago and Madison counties in standing up additional mobile vaccination sites to reach rural and underserved communities.

“These new mass vaccination sites and mobile teams will build on our partnership with local health departments and help ensure we administer doses as quickly as we receive them,” Pritzker said. “As the federal government works to continue to build up the vaccine supply, every Illinoisan can continue do their part to fight this virus by following public health guidance and getting vaccinated when it is their turn to do so.”

These sites build upon the state-supported mass vaccination infrastructure across the state with 14 state-supported mass vaccination sites now operating in Illinois. This is in addition to the state’s mobile vaccination teams which are deployed statewide to reach rural and underserved communities.

As of Feb. 21, there were approximately 1,015 Illinois National Guard service members assisting with COVID-19 response throughout Illinois with the number of Guard members activated expected to increase as the state-assisted sites grow.

These mass and mobile vaccinations sites are managed through an interagency effort led by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health, coordinated by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and supported by the Illinois National Guard.

State Supported Mass Vaccination Sites listed below are open to all Illinois residents, who meet the current eligibility requirements and have an appointment through the local health department.

State Mass Vaccination Sites

Focus on Underserved Communities

Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara welcomed the members of the National Guard with open arms.

“This site will be critical to vaccinating tens of thousands of Rockfordians,” he said. “I urge everyone who is able to consider being vaccinated.”

Mobile teams currently support the Cook County Department of Public Health, Eastside Health District in St. Clair County, Sangamon County Department of Public Health and Jackson County Health Department. Additional mobile teams will deploy to both Winnebago County and Madison County over the next few weeks.

These teams will move from site to site within the counties offering direct assistance to underserved communities with a focus on those unable to visit mass vaccination sites or other clinics, including rural, undocumented, and/or Black and Brown communities. The county health departments will determine priority sites where mobile teams will deploy.

There are now more than 850 vaccination locations in Illinois open to the public. While the state is working to increase the number of vaccines administered daily, it is limited by the amount of vaccine available and allocated by the federal government.

There is no charge to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations are available only by appointment at this time and residents are encouraged to check back frequently for open appointments. Individuals should sign up for an appointment to receive their second dose while they are getting their first vaccination.

For more information on how to make an appointment to receive the vaccine, updates on the state’s plan and eligibility, and answers to frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, go to coronavirus.illinois.gov.

SOURCE: state of Illinois news release