United Center Opens New Drive-Thru Vaccination Option
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Starting today, the United Center is adding drive-thru vaccine appointments to the mix, instead of just walk-up appointments that had been available until now.
The city also announced yesterday it is expanding who can get the vaccine at the United Center.
CBS 2's Mugo Odigwe reports the drive-thru vaccination site is located in Lot C, on Warren Boulevard, between Damen Avenue and Wood Street.
The new drive-thru option is not only a convenient option, but for some people, a necessity.
"I have arthritis in my knee. So I wasn't really happy about standing in the line," Leisa Braband said.
So imagine Braband's delight when she learned she'd be the first in line once the United Center drive-thru site was built and ready to go.
"Here I showed up early so I wouldn't have been standing even longer if I was a walk-in. So it's really beautiful that it's an option," she said.
Braband said this chance to finally get a vaccine shot is one small way of doing her part for the community.
"I think it's important to be part of the solution, and not part of the problem, and this is the best way we can," she said.
She's not the only one with a reason to appreciate this new drive-thru site.
"I've got poor circulation in my legs and my knees," Mary Davis said.
But even with this new option, only a select group of people can get vaccinated here. Only those age 65 or older, or those living in certain under-vaccinated parts of the city can get a shot at the United Center.
The city announced yesterday that it was expanding the list of eligible zip codes to 17: 60608, 60609, 60619, 60620, 60621, 60623, 60624, 60628, 60629, 60632, 60636, 60639, 60644, 60649, 60651, 60652, and 60653.
Something else to clear up, even though Cook County moved into Phase 1B+ on Monday, meaning people 16 and older with underlying health conditions.
The city of Chicago has decided to bypass that phase, and instead next Monday it will move to Phase 1C, opening vaccine availability to all essential workers who weren't already eligible, and people 16 and older with underlying health conditions.
