United Center Vaccination Site fully Open, Targeting Vulnerable Residents

The United Center vaccination site posts a photo of a resident and healthcare worker. Photo courtesy the Chicago Government.

	By Mariah McBride, Environmental Health & Wellness Editor, The Real Chi

Update: As of Saturday, March 13 four more zip codes have also been given priority to schedule appointments at the United Center vaccination site. Those added zip codes are 60624, 60644, 60651 and 60653 ZIP codes.

CHICAGO - Chicago residents in five vulnerable zip codes have been given priority to book appointments at the United Center vaccination site, which fully opened Wednesday, March 10. 

Residents who live in the zip codes 60608, 60619, 60620, 60649 or 60652 can now book unfilled appointments using the voucher code CCVICHICAGO at  https://events.juvare.com/chicago/UCPOD/ or by calling the multilingual call center at 312-746-4835  Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.  and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Those who make an appointment and do not live in those areas will have their appointment cancelled. 

This is the second major change that officials have made to eligibility requirements. Earlier this week, officials announced that the site will no longer let residents of suburban Cook counties register after noticing that the majority of appointments were being filled by those who do not live in Chicago. In the future the facility will allocate a certain amount of appointments for those residents. However, officials will still honor those appointments that were scheduled by non-Chicago residents before the change was announced. Both changes are a part of the city’s Protect Chicago plan which aims to create more equity around vaccinations distribution. 

Prior to opening the United Center Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot said, "This new United Center site will significantly increase our capacity to vaccinate vulnerable Illinoisans and further ensure equitable access to the vaccine. I want to thank our partners at the state, county and federal level for making this announcement possible and I look forward to working closely with them as we continue to do everything possible to save our seniors."

Chicago residents who do not live in the five zip codes listed above are still able to make appointments by registering online at zocdoc.com/vaccine and by calling (312) 746-4835. The phone line will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. 

The United Center vaccination facility, run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with support from local and state officials, had its “soft open” on March 9. Despite the long lines, many Chicago residents were successful in receiving their Pfizer shot. 

One Chicago resident detailed the experience posting, “PSA [Public Service Announcement]. I took my Mom to get her COVID vaccine today at the United Center. Even tho [though] the line was literally four blocks long, we were in and out within an hour. So if you’re interested in taking those over 65, arrive on time for your appointment. They ushered us to the front of people who arrived early. It’s not as bad as I was expecting.”

Those who received their first vaccination at the United Center March 9 and 10—first two days of opening— will be automatically scheduled for their second dose of the vaccination via text or email. Everyone that received  a vaccination March 11 and afterwards should have on site scheduling.

Now the Biggest mass vaccination site in Illinois and on the Westside of Chicago— located on the northeast side of Madison and Wood streets in the parking lot of The United Center— this site is set to be open for eight weeks and will allow healthcare workers to administer up to 6,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations per day. 

According to a Illinois government press release , “The vaccine will be offered at no cost, and insurance is not required, nor will it be requested at the federal community vaccination center. Documentation regarding immigration status is also not required.”

Other Requirements:

Besides location requirements, residents have to be eligible under the state’s Phase 1A, 1B and 1B+ Vaccination Administration Plan (Specifics included within plan). Those who do not fall within the following categories will also have their appointment cancelled.  

• Illinois seniors (65 and up)

• Frontline essential works

• “Residents 16 and older with disabilities or underlying conditions who aren’t otherwise covered in previous eligibility categories, in accordance with CDC guidelines”

Registration for these appointments are now open. Registration began Thursday, March 4 with Illinois Seniors. Then registration was later extended to Illinois residents eligible under the state’s Phase 1B+ on March 7. There is not on site registration available.

For more information please visit the United Center vaccination site.