81% Of Skokie Seniors Have Gotten First Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine

SKOKIE, IL — More than half of adult Skokie residents have received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, and nearly a quarter of the village's population has been fully vaccinated as of Sunday.

Citing data from the Illinois Department of Public Health, village staff announced more than 25,000 of Skokie's approximately 64,000 residents had received at least one dose of vaccine, including 81 percent of senior citizens and 51 percent of residents 18 and older.

Nearly 14,000 people are still registered to receive a jab from one of the village-run clinics, which, as of Friday, had administered about 15,000 first or second doses.

The Skokie Health and Human Services Department is vaccinating all residents in Phase 1b+, including all residents 65 or older and anyone with underlying medical conditions linked to increased risk of complications from contracting COVID-19.

Last week, village staff asked all residents who qualify as part of Phase 1b+ or preceding priority groups to register for a vaccine again — even if they have already pre-registered.

The health department hopes to determine how many qualifying residents still need appointments from the village ahead of April 12, when vaccine eligibility expands to all residents regardless of age, employment or pre-existing medical conditions.

Those that want to be removed from the village's vaccine pre-registration list, whether because they have already been jabbed elsewhere or any other reason, may fill out another form to opt out and give up their place in the line.

So far, village clinics have been administering exclusively Moderna vaccine, which is currently only approved for those aged 18 and up.

The Cook County Department of Public Health, which covers most of suburban Cook County, and the Chicago Department of Public Health this week expanded vaccine eligibility to the Phase 1c priority group. That group includes all categories of essential workers.

All Illinois residents may now register for appointments at mass vaccination sites in suburban Cook County.

RELATED: More Skokie Residents To Become Eligible For COVID-19 Vaccines

Skokie's coronavirus positivity rate and its number of weekly new confirmed coronavirus cases have both doubled since the start of March.

In the first week of March, the positivity rate stood at 2.17 percent, with 54 confirmed cases detected.

For the week ending Sunday, the positivity rate was up to 4.3 percent, with 118 new cases confirmed, according to data from the village.

Skokie residents who need assistance with the pre-registration or appointment process were asked to call the village's vaccination hotline at 847-779-7726 or email covid19@skokie.org

EARLIER: 58% Of Skokie Seniors Have Had At Least One COVID-19 Vaccine Dose