Where kids can get the COVID-19 vaccine in the Chicago area

A young child in a pink shirt gets a shot
Leah Malloy, 6, gets her first COVID-19 vaccination on Nov. 5, 2021 at Lurie’s Children’s Hospital. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
A young child in a pink shirt gets a shot
Leah Malloy, 6, gets her first COVID-19 vaccination on Nov. 5, 2021 at Lurie’s Children’s Hospital. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ

Where kids can get the COVID-19 vaccine in the Chicago area

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds last week, and shots have begun in the Chicago area.

Doctors and public health officials are encouraging parents to take their young children to their pediatrician’s office to get the shot. Pharmacies are also vaccinating kids and there are many larger clinic events:

The following pharmacies will be getting vaccine supplies for 5- to 11-year-olds, according to the city of Chicago. 

Chicago Public School plans to start offering the vaccine for young children on Nov. 10. CPS has cancelled class on Nov. 12 to give families a day to get vaccinated. City employees will get two hours off work. Vaccines will be available that day by appointment at several mobile clinics or four regional clinics:

  • Michelle Clark Magnet High School, 5101 W. Harrison St.
  • Chicago Vocational High School, 2100 E. 87th St.
  • Theodore Roosevelt High School, 3436 W. Wilson Ave.
  • Richards Career Academy High School, 5009 S. Laflin St.

CPS is also offering vaccines on Friday Nov. 12 at 14 school-based clinics. Find the hours and locations here

Cook County Health is offering vaccines for children five and older starting Friday, Nov. 5 at all its Chicago and suburban locations. Vaccines are available via walk-in or by appointment or by calling 833-308-1988.

City Colleges of Chicago will offer family vaccination clinics every weekend from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Nov 13. Registration is required.

  • Nov. 13 – Richard J. Daley College, 7500 S. Pulaski Road 

  • Nov. 14 – Wilbur Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett Ave.

  • Nov. 20 – Kennedy-King College, 6301 S. Halsted St.

  • Nov. 21 – Olive-Harvey College, 10001 S. Woodlawn Ave.

  • Dec. 4 – Richard J. Daley College, 7500 S. Pulaski Road 

  • Dec. 5 – Wilbur Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett Ave. 

  • Dec. 11 – Kennedy-King College, 6301 S. Halsted St.

  • Dec. 12 – Olive-Harvey College, 10001 S. Woodlawn Ave. 

  • Dec. 18 – Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave.

  • Dec. 19 – Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd. 

  • Jan. 8 – Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave.

  • Jan. 9 – Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd.

The following clinics allow walk-ins. Check out their websites for exact times and locations:

Alivio Medical Center

https://www.aliviomedicalcenter.org/

Asian Human Services Family Health Center 

https://www.ahschicago.org/

Beloved Community Family Wellness Center

https://www.bcfwc.org/

Chicago Family Health Center

https://chicagofamilyhealth.org/

Christian Community Health Center

https://cchc-online.org/

Erie Family Health Center

https://www.eriefamilyhealth.org/

Esperanza Health Centers

https://www.esperanzachicago.org/

Friend Health

https://www.friendfhc.org/

Heartland Health Centers

https://www.heartlandhealthcenters.org/

Lawndale Christian Health Center

https://lawndale.org/

Mile Square Health Center (UIC)

https://hospital.uillinois.edu/patients-and-visitors/mile-square-federally-qualified-health-center

Near North Health Services Corporation

https://www.nearnorthhealth.org/

PCC Wellness Center

https://www.pccwellness.org/

TCA Health Inc.

https://www.tcahealth.org/

Starting November 15, Chicago Department of Public Health’s in-home vaccination program will also offer pediatric vaccination for all children ages 5 to 11. Make an at-home appointment or by calling (312) 746-4835.

Correction: A previous version of this story misidentified Leah Malloy in the photo caption.