All Chicago Adults Will be Eligible For Vaccination by April 19

CHICAGO— Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced during a press conference Tuesday evening that all Chicago adults would be eligible for coronavirus vaccinations by April 19. The new date is much sooner than the city's original goal to open eligibility to all adults by May 1.

The announcement comes as President Joe Biden said Tuesday he would order all states and major cities to meet the April 19 goal for adults and Lightfoot confirmed the city would rise to the challenge—given the federal government provided the supplies. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said the date vaccines will be available to all adults across the rest of the state is April 12.

“We will meet that deadline,” Lightfoot said. “We need more vaccine from the federal government, but we’re optimistic — based upon conversations — that, that opportunity will happen.”

Lightfoot missed a press conference on Tuesday afternoon because she was conferencing with Vice President Kamala Harris, who visited Chicago to tour Chinatown's new union vaccination site. It is unclear if Harris provided any support or promises on increased vaccine supply to the mayor during that conversation.

Currently, 20 percent of Chicagoans above age 18 are fully vaccinated and about 40 perfect have received their first does, Dr. Allison Arwady, head of the Chicago Department of Public Health, said during Tuesday’s news conference.

Lightfoot said the city will not have enough vaccine supply to give all eligible adults a shot on April 19, but said supply will increase enough to move up that eligibility.

The rest of Illinois will open its vaccine eligibility to all people 16 and older this coming Monday.

Arwady continued to stress the importance of following COVID-19 restrictions and provided some justification for the city's re-opening plan.

"It is still much safer to be outside, Arwady said. "And you'll see that reflected in the plan. I do think it's the right thing from a science perspective."