(WTTW News)

In an effort to boost the vaccination rate in Chicago communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, city officials announced Saturday that residents of four additional zip codes would be eligible to make appointments at the United Center mass vaccination site.

According to the city, blocks of appointments are being set aside for residents of the following South and West side zip codes: 60608, 60619, 60620, 60624, 60644, 60649, 60651, 60652, 60653.

Residents of those zip codes can register by calling the COVID-19 help line at 312-746-4835, according to the city.

“Equity drives all vaccine distribution in Chicago, and we want to ensure that residents from the communities that have been most disproportionately impacted by the pandemic have access to this lifesaving vaccine,” Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot said in a statement.

According to city data, 59% of first vaccine doses went to Black or Latino Chicagoans as of March 3, a significant increase since the early days of vaccine distribution.

Chicago residents ages 65 and older who live in any zip code can register for a limited number of vaccine appointments at the United Center by calling the hotline: 312-746-4835.

The United Center mass vaccination site opened Tuesday amid confusion over eligibility rules and availability of appointments. The site is able to administer up to 6,000 doses per day.

Appointments cannot be made on site. For additional information, visit the city’s website. Additional vaccination sites and information for Chicago residents can be found here; and here for Cook County residents.

New cases, deaths

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,484 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday and 19 additional deaths, including five Cook County residents.

Since the first case of the coronavirus was reported in Illinois in late January 2020, 1,209,331 infections and 20,943 deaths have been reported across the state, and more than 19,000,000 tests have been processed.

More than 4 million doses of the vaccine have been administered in Illinois, according to IDPH, including 354,414 in long-term care facilities.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a tweet Sunday that Illinois is now leading the Midwest in the number of vaccine shots administered.

Today Illinois became the fifth state in the nation and first in the Midwest to administer 4 million shots. To find a vaccination site near you, visit https://t.co/GxsRLlGyV3 https://t.co/spyD5Dmr64

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) March 14, 2021

COVID-19 Cases in Illinois

Infogram