COVID-19 Vaccination Guidelines

COVID-19 Phase 5 Alert

American Indian Health Service of Chicago follows CDC, City of Chicago Public Health Department and Indian Health Service guidelines and protocols for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Here is an update on Booster Shots from Indian Health Service.

AIHSC now has Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson Vaccines and Boosters for Covid-19.
At this time boosters are for those who received two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine (6 months after 2nd dose), two doses of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (6 months after 2nd dose), and a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine (2 months after single dose)

The CDC has provided its official recommendation for a COVID-19 booster shot to protect those at highest risk of serious complications of COVID-19. Effective immediately, the IHS recommends booster shots of the COVID-19 Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine for certain populations and for those in high risk occupational and institutional settings

CDC recommends:

• People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after a Pfizer or Moderna primary series and 2 months after a Johnson and Johnson single dose.

• People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after a Pfizer or Moderna primary series and 2 months after a Johnson and Johnson single dose.

• People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after a Pfizer or Moderna primary series and 2 months after a Johnson and Johnson single dose, based on their individual benefits and risks.

• People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after a Pfizer or Moderna primary series and 2 months after a Johnson and Johnson single dose, based on their individual benefits and risks.

FDA and CDC will continue to evaluate data over the coming weeks and make determinations for additional populations going forward.

Vaccine & Booster Availability

The American Indian Health Service of Chicago Clinic is available to receive Non-Indigenous applicants for Covid-19 Vaccinations.

If you are an AIHSC Patient, Native American or First Responder and 18 years of age or older please call us at 773-883-9100 to schedule a Vaccination appointment today! Vaccinations can be scheduled by appointment only after a pre-screening. Booster shots can be scheduled after a pre-screening. Booster clinics will be held for pre-screened patients on Thursdays at the AIHSC Clinic. Call to schedule a pre-screening today.

Learn more from the CDC about Vaccines, Variants Omicron & Delta.

Update on COVID-19 vaccines for ages 5 to 17:

Are you the parent or guardian of an adolescent ages 5 to 17? You should know that eligible adolescents ages 5 to 17
can now get a Pfizer Vaccine at VA facilities that provide this vaccine.

Adolescents are eligible if they meet either of these requirements:

• They receive Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) benefits, or
• They help provide care or assistance to a Veteran

Here’s what to know:

• For COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, we define a caregiver as a family member or friend who provides care to a Veteran. Caregivers may help a Veteran with personal needs like feeding, bathing, or dressing. They may also help a Veteran with tasks like shopping or transportation.
• The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use in adolescents at this time. Not all VA health facilities offer this vaccine right now. Check with your VA facility before you go to get a vaccine.
• The adolescent’s parent or legal guardian must come with them to get the vaccine. Both adolescent, their parent or guardian must give consent for the vaccine.

Find your nearest VA health facility that offers COVID-19 vaccines.

Get the latest updates about COVID-19 vaccines at VA.

What you need to know about COVID-19 Vaccines

Learn more about Covid-19 Vaccines. The link provides FAQs and answers
about vaccines and how to prepare yourself to get vaccinated.

Phase 5 Guidelines:

In Phase 5, most mandatory COVID-19 regulations have been lifted, including capacity limits and social distancing requirements at most businesses. Effective August 20, 2021, masks are required in all indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status.

Phase 5 Guidance from the City of Chicago Website:

Masks

Effective August 20, 2021, masks are required in all indoor public settings. Similar to previous mask mandates, masks can be removed at restaurants, bars and other eating/drinking establishments by patrons when they are actively eating/drinking while stationary. Masks can also be removed for certain activities that require their removal, such as beard shaves or facials. Additionally, masks can be removed by employees in settings that are not open to the public, if employees are static and maintaining at least six feet from all other individuals (for example, in office cubicles).

Operating Hours

Bars, restaurants and other establishments with a Tavern or Consumption on Premises-Incidental Activity license can resume normal hours of operation.

Public Gatherings Guidance

For public gatherings and events, it is recommended that event organizers require attendees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to attending. To create a safer event, CDPH recommends checking documentation of vaccination or negative test status, if feasible. If vaccination or negative test status cannot be checked, CDPH recommends that all attendees, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks whenever social distancing cannot be maintained.

City of Chicago Phase 5 Guidance, Rollout and Facts