DuPage County Expands Coronavirus Vaccine Eligibility

WHEATON, IL — More residents in DuPage County will have access to the coronavirus vaccine, now that the health department has expanded its eligibility to include those in the 1 b plus classification. The change took effect Wednesday, making the vaccine available to DuPage County residents from 16 to 64 years old with underlying conditions or disabilities.

This makes an additional 174,443 residents eligible to be vaccinated, according to DuPage County Health Department (DCHD).

Illinois residents in the 1 b plus category became eligible for the coronavirus vaccine as of Feb. 25. At the time, DuPage County declined to expand its eligibility to include 1 b plus, citing a limited vaccine supply.

Despite the expansion, the county is still struggling with a restricted vaccine supply. “Although vaccine supply remains extremely limited, we are making significant progress in vaccinating some of the most vulnerable people in our communities," DCHD Executive Director Karen Ayala said in a news release.

DCHD reports that it received 23,490 first doses of the coronavirus vaccine this week.

As of Wednesday, over 248,500 DuPage County residents had received their first coronavirus vaccine. Currently, 144,920 residents have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus.

County health officials noted a recent increase in daily and weekly coronavirus cases among all age groups, except those 80 years old and over. To date, there have been 80,728 confirmed coronavirus cases in DuPage County, according to Illinois Department of Public Health.

There have also been seven cases of the B.1.17 coronavirus variant reported in the county since January. The B.1.17 variant is thought to spread more readily and rapidly than other variants of coronavirus, but it is as-yet undetermined whether the variant is more deadly.

DuPage County residents can click the link to register for a coronavirus vaccine appointment.

Also on Patch:

DuPage Co. Cut Off Vax Supply To Firm Accused of Misusing Doses

More Early Voting Sites Open In DuPage County

DuPage County Coronavirus Update: 1.4% Increase In Past Week

No Flu Cases This Season At 26 Advocate Aurora Health Hospitals

DuPage County Declines To Expand COVID-19 Vaccinations Feb. 25