Hines VA Hospital Vaccinates 10,000th Illinois Veteran

HINES, IL — Ten-thousand Illinois veterans have now been vaccinated for COVID-19 at Hines VA Hospital, according to a news release. The 10,000th vaccine went to William J. Swade, an Army veteran, officials said.

Hines began administering vaccines Dec. 15, first giving to shots patients 65 and older, then dialysis patients, chemotherapy patients, organ transplant recipients, homeless veterans, inpatient spinal cord patients, residents of the hospital's community living center and residential care facilities and, finally, Hines employees.

“Contributing to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic means so much to us,” said hospital director James Doelling. “Our ultimate goal is to provide the vaccine to as many Veterans – our nation’s heroes — as possible so that life can eventually return to normal for them.”

Nichalas S. Pizzo, an Army vet who received a vaccine at the hospital's Hoffman Estates community based outpatient clinic last week praised the vaccination effort.

"They did a really good job," Pizzo said. "They had enough people taking care of everything. I was on my way home quickly."

Veterans in one of the above categories who want to receive a first or second dose of the Pfizer vaccine can call 708-202-2707 or 708-202-7000 to schedule an appointment. The hospital is located at 5000 5th Ave. in Hines, while community clinics are also available in Hoffman Estates and Joliet. For more information, visit: va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/.

Statewide, there are now 310 vaccination sites, state officials said Monday. The state has partnered with Kroger, Mariano's, Walgreens, Jewel-Osco and Hy-Vee pharmacies to get shots into arms, in addition to working with local health departments and the Illinois National Guard.

Find participating pharmacies here. If you can't find a vaccine at your local pharmacy, National Guard vaccination sites include:

• Arlington Heights Health Center – 3250 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights
• Belle-Clair Fairgrounds – 200 S. Belt E #2650, Belleville
• Blue Island Health Center – 12757 S. Western Ave., Blue Island
• Cottage Grover Health Center – 1645 Cottage Grove Ave., Ford Heights
• Morton East Adolescent Health Center – 2423 S. Austin Blvd., Cicero
• North Riverside Health Center – 1800 S. Harlem Ave., North Riverside
• Provident Hospital – 500 E. 51st St., Chicago
• Robbins Health Center – 13450 S. Kedzie Ave., Robbins
• John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital – 1969 Ogden Ave., Chicago
• Tinley Park Convention Center – 18451 Convention Center Dr., Tinley Park

More than 3.2 million Illinoisans are eligible for vaccination in Phase 1b, officials said.

According to the state, 1,829,575 doses of the vaccine have been delivered to providers across Illinois. To date, 996,410 vaccines have been administered — about 43,000 per day.