First State-Run Drive-Thru Vaccination Site Opens In Aurora

AURORA, IL — Residents who want to be vaccinated against the coronavirus now have access to shots at Illinois' first state-run drive-thru vaccination site, which just opened in Aurora.

The site is a collaboration between the City of Aurora and the Illinois Department of Public Health and offers a drive-thru lane at the current Illinois community-based testing site at 2450 N. Farnsworth Ave. Vaccinations are being offered from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and no appointment is necessary.

There is no charge for the vaccination and does not require residents to bring a form of identification. The drive-thru vaccination time is opening at a time when 56 percent of Illinois residents 18 years of age and older have been fully vaccinated and when 64 percent of state residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

State health officials report that more than 12 million doses of the vaccines have been administered since becoming available.

The vaccination site is located across from the Chicago Premium Outlet Mall at the Interstate 88 and Farnsworth Ave. interchange. The dual testing-vaccination site will have one lane for COVID-19 testing and the other for vaccinations.

“To control this pandemic, we need as many people as possible to get vaccinated,” state health director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a news release. “The vaccine is free, safe, and effective. It is your best protection against hospitalization and death due to COVID-19.

“Your being vaccinated will also help protect those who are too young to be vaccinated and people who do not build a strong immune response to the vaccine due to underlying health conditions, like cancer. Vaccination protects you, and not just that, it protects us all.”

Health officials said that receiving the first dose of the vaccine provides 84 percent protection against COVID-19 and becoming fully vaccinated protects people at a 94 percent success rate. All Illinois residents eligible to receive the vaccine can use the site without exiting their vehicle. Everyone who gets a vaccination must wait at least 15 minutes afterward in a designated observation parking station monitored by health care professionals.

The type of vaccine available each day at the site will vary. Anyone requiring a second dose of Moderna or Pfizer can return to the same location on the instructed day or visit any other state-run site or medical service provider.

“We are still encouraging everyone to take their best shot,” said Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin said in the release. “And for some, the best shot can now be received through an open vehicle window in an efficient, easy process.”