However, earlier this month, White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said there have been “no red flags” seen in the more than 10,000 pregnant women who have received vaccine shots so far.
Guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that if a woman is part of a group recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and is pregnant, she may choose to be vaccinated. A discussion with her healthcare provider can help her make an informed decision, the agency stated.
Currently, more than 3.2 million Illinois residents are eligible for vaccinations under Phase 1B, which does include people age 65 years and older as well as “frontline essential workers.”
Despite repeated claims the state was struggling to vaccinate those in Phase 1B due to limited supply, Pritzker was happy to share a 5% increase in doses this week alone, saying “as quickly as we receive enough vaccine supply, we need to waste no time in protecting a broader section of our most vulnerable population.”
Still, officials continued to urge patience Wednesday, saying vaccine supply was limited, even with Illinois announcing more than 100 new vaccination locations in the last week.
“We are limited by the amount of vaccine available and allocated by the federal government,” the governor’s office said in a release just before Pritzker’s announcement on eligibility. “Vaccinations are available only by appointment at this time and we encourage people to check back frequently for open appointments. Until the supply is increased, there will be a great demand and we ask people to be patient.”
As of Feb. 4, the state said it has added 22 local health departments, medical centers, and hospital locations, along with two new mass vaccination sites and 110 retail pharmacy stores, including Walmart and Meijer locations.
For a complete look at where and how you can make an appointment in Illinois or where you can receive vaccine information for your area, click here.