Week of May 3, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ - Skokie Health and Human Services Department

For the week of May 3, the Village will offer second-dose clinics to individuals who received their first dose from the Village during March. One first-dose clinic at which Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be administered is being offered. The Village is now offering vaccines, as supplies allow, to all Skokie residents age 16 and over. 

All residents, even those who have been vaccinated, should stay vigilant and continue practicing COVID-19 safety precautions to protect themselves and their community. Practice the 3Ws: wear a mask, wash your hands and watch your distance, along with avoiding large in-person gatherings. 

Vaccine availability is expected to continue to increase in coming weeks, with both first- and second-dose clinics being offered. There are currently approximately 7,400 people pre-registered in the Village’s COVID-19 vaccine database and, as of Friday, April 30, 2021, the Village had administered approximately 23,990 doses of vaccine. See more details on vaccine supply below. 

Already receive your vaccine?  Please click here to remove your name from the Village’s COVID-19 vaccination pre-registration database. 

Don’t miss your vaccination appointment invitation email! The Village has learned that some residents have missed emails inviting them to make vaccination appointments because the messages are going into their 'spam' or junk email folder. If you're age 18 or over, are pre-registered with the Village and are still waiting for your invitation email, please add covid-19@skokie.org to your contacts so you don't miss your vaccination appointment invitation message!

Skokie residents can register for vaccination appointments at Cook County mass vaccination sites. Click here for more information.

Village of Skokie COVID-19 Vaccination Process

1.  Pre-register with the Village of Skokie if you live in the 60076, 60077 and 60203 zip code areas. Every household member age 16 and over is encouraged to pre-register. Note: You will not receive a confirmation email from the Village after pre-registering.

Click here to access the COVID-19 pre-registration portal.

2.  Await notification from the Village. You will receive an email invitation based on the order in which you pre-registered (first-in, first-served), and, most importantly, the amount of available vaccine.  Invitation emails are sent from covid-19@skokie.org, so please consider adding this email address to your contacts to prevent your vaccine appointment invitation email from going into a 'spam' or junk mail folder. 

3.  Register for your first vaccine dose. The notification email will include a link to register for an appointment to receive your first dose of the vaccine. Upon completing the registration, you will receive a confirmation email with the details of your appointment and a ticket to present for admission. 

4.  Receive your first vaccine dose. Please do not arrive more than five minutes before your appointment. Please bring a current, state-issued photo ID showing proof of Skokie residency. Be sure to wear short sleeves and a mask. If you work at a Skokie healthcare provider, please bring a work ID or documentation of employment. 

5.  While you are at the Village’s clinic for your first dose, you will make the appointment for your second dose. While at a Village of Skokie clinic receiving their first dose of vaccine, individuals will be able to make an appointment for their second dose while at the clinic either on their smartphone, tablet or at one of several available computer kiosks. Village staff or volunteers will be able to assist with the process and/or to answer questions about securing appointments. Those who cannot make their second-dose appointment on site will receive the information needed to make the appointment at a later time. Residents who need assistance after leaving the clinic should email COVID19@skokie.org or call the Village’s COVID-19 vaccination hotline at 847/779-7726. Individuals who receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will not need to schedule a second appointment.

6.  Receive your second vaccine dose. Please do not arrive more than five minutes before your appointment. Please bring a current, state-issued photo ID showing proof of Skokie residency. Be sure to wear short sleeves and a mask. If you for a Skokie healthcare provider, please bring a work ID or documentation of employment. 

Q: What is the status of Skokie’s COVID-19 vaccine supply?
A: 

• As of Friday, April 30, 2021, the Village had administered approximately 23,990 doses of vaccine. 
• Data received from the Illinois Department of Public Health shows that from December 2020 through April 26, 2021, a total of 36,410 Skokie residents have received at least one dose of vaccine (at Skokie's clinic and through other providers), representing:
  1. 58 percent of Skokie's total population
  2. 73 percent of Skokie residents age 18 and above
  3. 91 percent of Skokie residents age 65 and above
• A total of 25,020 residents are fully vaccinated, representing 40 percent of Skokie’s total population.
• Skokie's current positivity rate is 4.26 percent. See Skokie’s COVID-19 data.
• The Village is administering vaccine as quickly as the vaccine is being supplied by the State of Illinois. The Village’s priority is to utilize all received vaccine weekly to vaccinate residents as quickly and efficiently as possible at the Village’s clinics. 
• As vaccine supply allows, the Village will continue to offer first-and second-dose clinics, with second doses prioritized if vaccine supply becomes insufficient. 
• Skokie residents can explore securing vaccination appointments at private providers in the area, including Walgreens, Jewel-Osco and area hospitals. Search for area vaccination sites.
• Skokie residents can register for vaccination appointments at Cook County mass vaccination sites. Click here for more information.
• Inadequate supply of vaccines remains the single largest barrier to vaccinating Skokie residents at a faster pace.

The best place to get up-to-date information is the Village’s website, www.skokie.org. Important information is posted in the “Featured Announcements’ section of the home page. Please also subscribe to SkokieNews, the Village’s electronic newsletter that is issued every Tuesday afternoon and more frequently when there is important information for the community.

Q: I already had COVID-19. Do I still need a vaccine, or am I immune from having had the virus?
A: If you have had COVID-19, you still should be vaccinated. Long-term immunity does not occur after having the disease. 

If you had COVID-19 without complications (not hospitalized or did not receive plasma or antibodies as treatment) you must wait at least 10 days after the start of your isolation period to schedule an appointment. You also must be fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medicine and have improving symptoms before receiving a vaccine. For example, if you had a positive test on April 1, you would be eligible for a first-dose vaccination on April 11 or after if you had COVID-19 without experiencing complications, have improving symptoms and have been fever-free for 24 hours without medication.

If you contract COVID-19 between receiving your first and second doses of vaccine, you must wait your entire 10-day isolation period before receiving your second dose of vaccine. The CDC recommends that you receive the second dose as close to “on-time” as possible, but not during your 10-day isolation period. If you were hospitalized or received plasma or antibodies, please call Skokie Health and Human Services at 847/933-8252 and ask to speak to a nurse who will ask you questions to determine the specific timeframe for your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Q: What about the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine that has had safety concerns?
A:  Vaccine safety is always our top priority. The CDC and FDA recently lifted the temporary pause on administering Johnson & Johnson vaccine (J&J). The Village is offering a clinic during the week of May 3 at which J&J vaccine will be administered.

See more information on J&J vaccine from the CDC.

Q:  Is the Village administering Pfizer vaccine to 16 and 17 year olds? 
A: The Village recently began receiving Pfizer vaccine and it is being administered to 16- and 17-year-old Skokie residents by appointment at several local healthcare providers. In early May, the Pfizer vaccine will be administered to students at Niles North and Niles West High Schools. Skokie families with 16- and 17-year-old children who still need to be vaccinated and are not students at Niles North or West should email covid19@skokie.org. 

Pre-Registration and Vaccine Appointment Communication Information

Q: I pre-registered with the Village and have not received an email invitation to make an appointment. When will I receive one? 
A: If you or your loved one has pre-registered with the Village, know you are still in the system and will receive a future email inviting you to make an appointment for a vaccination. More than 7,400 individuals are currently pre-registered with the Village. Expect an email from covid19@skokie.org with the appointment link. 

Here are the factors that determine who receives a vaccination appointment email:

1. The order in which they pre-registered with the Village of Skokie (first-in, first-served).
2. The amount of available vaccine. 

If a resident forgets or misses their opportunity to register for the actual vaccine appointment, the Village will continue to send them notifications for future available vaccine clinics. 

Q: I received an email from the Village inviting me to register for a COVID-19 vaccine, but I was not able to reply in time to secure an appointment. Do I lose my place in line?
A: No, you will not lose your place in line. Email invitations will continue to include residents who missed earlier email invitations. If you are unable to make an appointment when you receive the initial email, please watch for similar emails in the following weeks. Vaccination clinic appointments are being sent based on the order in which individuals pre-registered their priority group and when vaccine supplies are received - which is unpredictable. 

Q: When I pre-register for a Skokie vaccine, will I receive an email confirmation?
A: No, you will not receive an email confirmation. When you complete the survey, a box should pop-up indicating that you have successfully completed the survey.

Q: I do not have a computer or email address. How will I be notified when vaccination appointments become available?
A: Due to the extreme levels of calls and appointments being made, the Village is encouraging residents to provide an email address when they pre-register. If you do not have a computer or an email address, we ask that you find a family member, friend or neighbor to help you pre-register online and to help make an appointment when they are available. If you do not have anyone to help you, please call the Skokie COVID-19 Hotline at 847-779-7726 to pre-register with your name, address and phone number and you will be notified when an appointment is available.

Q: How is Skokie getting the word out about COVID-19 vaccinations to residents without access to computers?
A: An informational postcard was mailed to all Skokie homes in the 60076, 60077 and 60203 zip codes in late January/early February with information on pre-registration for the benefit of residents without internet access. The March/April edition of NewSkokie, the Village newsletter, arrived in homes during the first week in March with additional information for those without computer access.

See the Village of Skokie COVID-19 postcard.

See the March/April edition of NewSkokie.

Q: Does the Village have more than one vaccination clinic location?
A: At present, there are no plans to add additional vaccine sites in Skokie. The current clinic at 7770 Frontage Road has sufficient capacity to serve a large number of residents efficiently while also adhering to social distancing measures for safety. It is completely accessible, and has a large parking lot with a good supply of handicapped parking near the main entrance.  

Q: I heard that if I just show up at Skokie’s clinic at the end of the day, I might be able to get a vaccination because of no-shows. Is this true?
A: NO! Vaccinations will be administered by appointment only, and individuals who come to Skokie’s clinic without an appointment will be turned away without receiving a vaccine.

Second Dose Information

Q: How can I be sure that I will be able to get an appointment for my second dose of vaccine from the Village?
A: Individuals receiving their first dose of vaccine can make an appointment for their second dose while at the clinic either on their smartphone, tablet or at one of several available computer kiosks. Village staff or volunteers are available to assist with the process and/or to answer questions about securing appointments. This process, which uses a unique voucher code for each person, guarantees a second-dose appointment.

Those who cannot make their second-dose appointment on site will receive the information needed to make the appointment at a later time. Residents who need assistance after leaving the clinic should email COVID19@skokie.org or call the Village’s COVID-19 vaccination hotline at 847/779-7726. Individuals who receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will not need to schedule a second appointment.

Q: I am a Skokie resident and already received my first dose of vaccine from another medical provider. Can I get my second dose from the Village of Skokie?
A: Residents are advised to try to secure their second dose from the same medical provider that administered their first dose. If this is not possible, please email the Skokie COVID-19 email hotline.

Changing or Transferring a Vaccination Appointment

Q: Can I give my scheduled appointment to a more vulnerable family member or friend?
A: No. Appointments slots will only be held for the individuals who receive the appointment email invitation and are able to produce proof of Skokie residency or employment at a Skokie healthcare provider.

Q: I made an appointment for a vaccine but need to change it or I want to cancel. How can I do this?
A: Appointments can be canceled by calling Health and Human Services at 847/933-8252. Due to the demand for vaccines, changing an appointment date or time is not an option at this time.

Required Identification for Skokie Residents and Healthcare Workers at Skokie Healthcare Providers

Q: What kind of ID is required? 
A: A state-issued photo ID with a Skokie address is required. Absent this, a state-issued photo ID along with a current utility bill or lease document with a Skokie address and that person’s name will suffice. Skokie residents under age 65 that are essential workers qualifying for a vaccination in group 1B also should be prepared with proof of employment. Healthcare workers who are not Skokie residents but work for a Skokie healthcare provider must also bring proof of employment in Skokie.

Other Questions About Qualifying for a COVID-19 Vaccine from the Village of Skokie

Q: I don't live in Skokie but am an essential worker at a Skokie business. Do I qualify for a vaccine through the Skokie Health and Human Services Department?
A: No. Except for a few exceptions, only Skokie residents with proof of residency can get vaccinated at a Skokie Health and Human Services vaccination clinic.  Exceptions include healthcare employees that work at a Skokie healthcare provider, daycare workers that work at a Skokie licensed daycare or educators that work at Skokie schools. All other non-Skokie resident essential workers that work at Skokie businesses should contact the health department for the community in which they live http://www.idph.state.il.us/LHDMap/HealthRegions.aspx, or ask their employer or healthcare professional about other options for receiving the vaccine. 

Q: What about caregivers who are coming into the homes of Skokie residents?
A: If they live outside Skokie, they are not eligible. If they work for a healthcare provider located in Skokie, then they do qualify.

Q: Is it true that someone recently shared a link to the Village of Skokie vaccination clinic reservation system and that a lot of people got appointments without waiting their turn?
A: Unfortunately, a few individuals who were trusted with the vaccination appointment link, and were told not to share it with anyone, shared it anyway and the link ended up on social media. The hundreds of appointments made with the unauthorized link were canceled, even though many individuals who made appointments with the shared link did not realize they were 'jumping the line'. This was done in fairness to the tens of thousands of other Skokie residents who have pre-registered for a COVID-19 vaccine and are patiently, and likely anxiously, waiting their turn.

Q: I heard on the news that teachers at Skokie schools received the vaccine first. Why is that?
A: After extensive planning, the Health and Human Services Department opted to begin smaller, controlled vaccination clinics during late January 2021 where pre-identified control groups including healthcare workers at Skokie healthcare providers and educators at Skokie schools would be vaccinated first. These two groups fall within the CDC and IDPH designated initial priority groups for vaccine distribution. These initial controlled clinics allowed the Health and Human Services Department to ensure future vaccine clinics are managed efficiently, prior to opening larger clinics to Skokie residents.

Transportation Options to Skokie’s COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

Q: I don’t drive or am homebound. Will the Village come to my home to give me the vaccine?
A: The Skokie Health and Human Services Department is now collecting information on Skokie homebound residents who want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. A homebound resident is a Skokie resident that is unable to leave their home due to severe mobility issues. Persons who are able to leave their home with the assistance of one person are not considered to be homebound.

If you are homebound or know a loved one that is homebound, please contact the Village’s COVID-19 hotline 847/779-7726 to register that homebound resident with the Village. Residents that meet the criteria will be called by the Village at a future date to have a COVID-19 vaccination date and time scheduled. Note that due to vaccine availability, it may take the Village several months to vaccinate all homebound residents. This program is for Skokie residents only.

Residents with mobility issues, but who are able to leave their home with assistance are encouraged to pre-register with the Village to receive the vaccine at the Village’s on-site vaccination clinic. Click here to pre-register. Residents that pre-register will be notified when it’s their turn to schedule a vaccine appointment.  Below are links for information about RTA para-transit service (if you are income-eligible) and a few private, fee-based special transit services.

https://www.rtachicago.org/rider-resources/accessible-transit/paratransit-certification

https://www.specialneedschicago.org/home

https://britelift.com/services/