UPDATED Friday January 29, 2021

YOU CAN NOW WATCH THE RECORDING OF THE TOWN HALL MEETING ONLINE –

• Watch last January 27th’s  meeting:https://youtu.be/V1_gepYUnow

From the office of Alderman Osterman

Hello neighbors,

Thank you for joining us last night for the 48th Ward COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall. We were grateful to have been joined by Dr. Jennifer Seo from the Chicago Department of Public Health. Please see below a link to the recording of last night’s meeting, along with resources shared during the meeting.

If you put a question into the Q&A last night and we did not get to it, someone from our team will be following up with you via email (unless it was submitted anonymously) with an answer or resources. I have also included a few Frequently Asked Questions that our office has received lately. Please direct any additional questions about COVID-19 and the vaccine to Ginger Williams in our office at ginger@48thward.org.

In the coming weeks, we expect many more vaccine sites to open up across the city and in our community. Please be patient, everyone who wants a vaccine will get a vaccine.

• Watch last January 27th’s  meeting:https://youtu.be/V1_gepYUnow
• Sign up for Chi COVID Coachto receive text updates about when you will be eligible for a vaccine (you can skip the page asking about symptoms if you are not experiencing any): https://covidcoach.chicago.gov/
• Chicago COVID Hotline: 312-746-4835
• Chicago COVID Vaccine information: gov/covidvax
• How to make a vaccine appointment & interactive vaccine location map: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid19-vaccine/home/ways-to-register.html
• 48th Ward Coronavirus information: org/coronavirus
• Cook County Vaccine information:https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov/
• Oak Street Health vaccine information sign-up (seniors without a primary care doctor can sign up to be notified when Oak Street Health will begin vaccinating non-members of their clinics):https://www.oakstreethealth.com/covid-19-vaccine

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: I’m not sure which phase I am in according to my employment. How can I determine this?

A: Click here for an outline of the federal and state guidelines the City is following re: phases. If you are still unclear and your employer is as well, please email coronavirus@chicago.gov or call the Coronavirus hotline at 312-746-4835 to get guidance from the Chicago Department of Public Health.

Q: Why am I having so much trouble getting an appointment? I qualify as Phase 1b and I am worried that I’ll miss my chance to get vaccinated.

A: You will not miss your chance. We are glad that so many of our neighbors are eager to take this important step to protect themselves and one another! The City is not currently receiving enough doses each week to meet the demand of everyone who wants to get vaccinated, so we all have to practice patience and continue to wear our masks and socially distance until we are all vaccinated. Everyone will get a vaccine, it is just going to take some time. Thousands of people are rushing to make an appointment this week, do not worry if you aren’t able to land one immediately. Please stay in touch with your doctor, check for appointments every few days, and the City’s capacity will grow. Our office will continue to provide updates.

Q: I called my doctor/pharmacy and they don’t have the vaccine. What should I do?

A: CDPH is actively enrolling doctors and pharmacies who will be able to provide vaccines. It may take a week or two for your health care provider or preferred pharmacy to get onboarded as a vaccination site, so you can check back every few days. If your doctor or pharmacist tells you they have no plans to offer the vaccine, use the map at this link to identify nearby sites that you can reach out to for an appointment.

Q: I got an appointment for my first dose but it’s a long way off. I’m worried I won’t be able to make my second dose appointment on time. What should I do?

A: All vaccine providers have a process to ensure a second dose appointment is made when you receive your first dose. You have up to 6 weeks for both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to get your second dose.

Q: I’ve heard about some vaccination sites having leftover doses at the end of the day. Can I show up to a City-operated site or a pharmacy at the end of the day to try to get a leftover?

A: Please don’t. The City is requiring all vaccinations to happen by appointment, in order to ensure there are enough doses, and to maintain social distancing while we continue to battle the Coronavirus pandemic. There is no guarantee that any of these sites will have leftovers, so you put yourself and others at risk of spreading/catching COVID by showing up without an appointment.

Q: I heard from my neighbor that her friend’s sister was able to walk into a pharmacy in the suburbs and get a vaccine. Should I just try that?

A: Please don’t, it is incredibly important that you make an appointment to get vaccinated. It’s great to share resources with friends and neighbors, but be cautious of rumors as sometimes the message can get scrambled in transmission. Please use trusted sources like the 48th Ward, City of Chicago, Cook County, and State of Illinois to find out the current guidance and updates.

—

Ally Brisbin

Assistant to the Alderman, Economic Development & Communications

48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman

5533 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640

(773) 784-5277

ORIGINAL POST January 24th

48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman Will Be Hosting A Town Hall Meeting Regarding The Vaccine Wednesday January 27th at 6pm

Please join Alderman Osterman and a representative from CDPH for a 48th Ward Vaccine Town Hall on Wednesday, January 27, 6pm, via Zoom. This will be an opportunity to hear the most up to date information about the vaccine in Chicago and to get your questions answered directly by CDPH.

Click here to register. You will receive an e-mail with the instructions to join the ZOOM Meeting. Please feel free to share and post the registration link for others who might be interested in this meeting.