For Seniors
Seniors and people with disabilities who are homebound
The best way to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is by calling your healthcare provider. If you don’t have a regular doctor, call your local pharmacy, clinic, or community health center or check zocdoc.com/vaccine. The vaccine is free and the City of Chicago sites are now accepting walk-ins.
The COVID-19 vaccine is especially important for seniors with underlying medical conditions, and some medical conditions increase risk for severe COVID-19 infection. All seniors should receive vaccination for COVID-19, even if you think your risk of getting COVID-19 is low. Consult with your doctor if you have a history of significant allergic reactions to vaccines, food, or medicine.
If you can’t register by yourself, ask a family member, friend or a neighbor for help. You can also email coronavirus@chicago.gov, or call the City of Chicago COVID-19 helpline at 312.746.4835.
1.
Primary medical provider
The best way to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is by calling your primary medical provider, health clinic, community health center, or hospital where you receive primary health care services. Ask how and where you can receive COVID-19 vaccine.
2.
Vaccine appointment tool
If you don't have a regular doctor, you can use Zocdoc, the City's vaccine appointment tool, to see real-time appointment availability and receive notifications when new appointments are available. For appointment assistance, contact the City's COVID-19 helpline at 312-746-4835.
3.
Local pharmacy
You can also call your local pharmacy or check out the City's COVID-19 Vaccine Finder to find other locations offering COVID-19 vaccine.
4.
Employeer
If you're employed, discuss your vaccination options with your employer. Learn more at the City's COVID-19 vaccine page for essential workers.
5.
Independent living facility
If you live in an independent living facility, you will most likely get vaccinated through your facility's vaccination program and do not need to take any other action
6.
Protect Chicago Plus
If you live in a community area that is part of the City's Protect Chicago Plus program, expect additional vaccination options within the next few weeks, including a fixed vaccination site and special events in your community.
7.
Homebound seniors
The City of Chicago is working to integrate mobile home healthcare vaccination services to reach home-bound individuals who are unable to go to the City’s COVID-19 vaccination sites to get the vaccine. Review the information below for details.
Homebound Seniors
The City of Chicago is working to integrate mobile home healthcare vaccination services to reach home-bound individuals who are unable to go to the City's COVID-19 vaccination sites to get the vaccine. Download the flyer (English and Spanish). To be eligible for this program you must:
- Be a senior or a person with a disability who requires in-home assistance.
OR
- Use adaptive equipment (like a ventilator, crutches, a walker, a wheelchair, etc.) and/or accessible transportation to leave home.
AND
- Leaving the home is not an option for you because doing so requires considerable and taxing effort.
If you fit these criteria, please complete this form so the City can coordinate in-home vaccination with you when the vaccine is available to you. Seniors who are not homebound should not complete this survey and should pursue vaccination through their medical team, a pharmacy or a city vaccination site. Caretakers of homebound seniors may be vaccinated as part of phase 1b.
Frequently Asked Questions
Download the Frequently Asked Questions for Seniors - last updated February 4, 2021
You can find additional vaccination sites and information at www.chicago.gov/COVIDvax, by emailing coronavirus@chicago.gov, or by calling the City of Chicago COVID-19 helpline at 312.746.4835.
Vaccine is now available for anyone 16+ at all of our Chicago vaccination sites.
There are multiple ways seniors can receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Chicago. Review the options to find the best way for you. Currently, there are no walk-in locations and you will need to register for an appointment. If you can’t register by yourself, ask a family member, friend or a neighbor for help.
Your Healthcare Provider
The best way to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is by calling your primary medical provider, health clinic, community health center, or hospital where you receive primary health care services. Ask how and where you can receive COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccine Appointment Tool
If you don't have a regular doctor, you can use Zocdoc, the City's vaccine appointment tool, to see real-time appointment availability and receive notifications when new appointments are available. For appointment assistance, contact the City's COVID-19 helpline at 312-746-4835.
Your Local Pharmacy
You can also call your local pharmacy or check out the City's COVID-19 Vaccine Finder to find other locations offering COVID-19 vaccine.
Your Employer
If you're employed, discuss your vaccination options with your employer. Learn more at the City's COVID-19 vaccine page for essential workers.
Independent Living Facility
If you live in an independent living facility, you will most likely get vaccinated through your facility's vaccination program and do not need to take any other action.
Protect Chicago Plus
If you live in a community area that is part of the City's Protect Chicago Plus program, expect additional vaccination options within the next few weeks, including a fixed vaccination site and special events in your community.
The City of Chicago is working to integrate mobile home healthcare vaccination services to reach home-bound individuals who are unable to got o the City's COVID-19 vaccination sites to get the vaccine. To be eligible for this program you must:
- Be a seniors or a person with a disability who requires in-home assistance.
OR
- Have to use adaptie quipment (like aventilator, crutches, a walker, a wheelchaire, etc.) and/or accessible transportation to leave home.
AND
- Leaving home is not an option for you because doing so requires considerable and taxing effot.
If you fit these criteria, please complete this form so the City can coordinate in-home vaccination with you when the vaccine is available to you. Seniors who are not homebound should not complete this survey and should pursue vaccination through their medical team, a pharmacy or a city vaccination site.
Older adults are at greater risk of requiring hospitalization or dying if they are diagnosed with COVID-19. As you get older, your risk of being hospitalized with severe COVID-19 infection increases.
COVID-19 vaccines were tested in large studies that included adults age 65 and older. Study results showed that the vaccines were safe and provided protection from COVID-19 in these older adults. COVID-19 vaccines do not use a live virus and cannot give you COVID-19. Side effects are less common in older adults than in younger people for both vaccines!
Yes, COVID-19 vaccine is recommended and especially important for adults with underlying medical conditions, and some medical conditions increase risk for severe COVID-19 infection. Consult with your doctor if you have a history of significant allergic reactions to vaccines, food, or medicine.
Yes, the vaccine is offered at no cost to all Chicagoans, including those who are uninsured or undocumented.