Covid-19 Vaccine for Homebound Seniors in Chicago, USA

In Chicago, the vaccine’s availability is limited to the people who comply with the federally authorized eligibility criteria. As per the guidelines of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the vaccine will be distributed in different phases at nationally guarded vaccination camps.

Chicago is currently in Phase 1b, which allows people over the age of 64 and other essential frontline workers, such as grocery store employees and long-term healthcare centre workers, to get vaccinated. However, a huge number of seniors, who are over the age of 64, are not able to leave home to get vaccinated; they are homebound.

Of course, the concerns of homebound seniors cannot be overlooked. Out of 100,000 Covid-19 vaccination appointments that were made available at Chicago United Center, a mass vaccination point, more than 27,000 were already booked by seniors over the age of 64. However, that doesn't even begin to fulfill the needs of the total population of the elderly.

In such times of need, it is a hint of calmness to hear that the authorities have figured out a way to help seniors and get the vaccine right in their homes. Chicago Fire Department is to deliver the doses of vaccines right to the seniors who, unfortunately, cannot leave their houses.

A Chicago news report stated that on Thursday, city-wide fire crews will be administering to the needs of seniors by bringing vaccines to their doorsteps.

Moreover, although the vaccine appointments were made available in a large amount at the mass vaccination centre, the process of registration has been difficult for seniors. The authorities launched a website and a hotline to assist people in making appointments from home, but complaints about website issues and hotline's connection problems were received in mass. That makes the issue for in-home elderlies even more serious. A lot of senior residents of Chicago require at-home assistance regarding the Covid-19 vaccine because they are used to live with adaptive equipment, such as wheelchairs and ventilators. Although they are perfectly eligible to get the vaccine, they are facing issues registering and applying for it.

That brings the Chicago Fire Department to take the matters of fulfilling the senior's vaccine appointments into their own hands. They are expected to start bringing vaccines home for homebound elderlies as per their pilot program.

What’s more, seniors now can register for the fire department’s pilot program from a separate website, which is easier to operate.

As for the other eligible people—frontline workers—they are expected to make appointments and receive the doses of vaccines at a nearby nationally guarded vaccination centre.

Some hospitals and clinics are also offering free vaccination in compliance with their own policies of date, time, and availability. For instance, some hospitals only provide vaccines to their admitted eligible patients, while others offer them to the general public on a pre-set day and time.

If you are an eligible candidate for the vaccine, you have a chance to receive a verified and approved Covid-19 vaccine free of cost. Book your free vaccination appointment here.