Residents of Chicago’s Austin neighborhood who are 18 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at two locations nearby. The goal is to vaccinate 10,000 Austin residents during six weeks of vaccine distribution.
The vaccine will be given out on Fridays and Saturdays at Amundsen Park, 6200 W. Bloomingdale Ave. Shots will be administered by personnel from Loretto Hospital from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, March 12 to April 17.
Vaccine also will be available on Sundays at Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School, 116 N. Central Ave. Shots will be administered by Rush University Medical Center and PCC Wellness from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 14 through April 18.
Anyone 18 years or older who lives in Austin is eligible. The vaccine will be given at no cost, but anyone receiving the vaccine must have an appointment and must provide an address in Austin. Individuals who make an appointment and cannot provide an Austin address will be turned away, even if an appointment was scheduled. No health insurance is required.
People can sign up online or by phone through the following:
- Amundsen Park: Visit this Loretto Hospital Google doc link to fill out the form, or call 773-996-7937.
- Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School: Visit this Rush Hospital link to register, or call 312-563-0767.
This effort to reach residents of Chicago neighborhoods that have been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic is co-sponsored by community groups such as Austin Coming Together and the City of Chicago through its Protect Chicago Plus initiative. You can learn more about the initiative at this website.
Officials at the two sites also are seeking volunteers to help greet patients, take temperatures, and assist with patient flow — no medical experience is necessary. Volunteers will receive hospital-grade masks and face shields. Anyone interested in volunteering can find out more and register at this website.
