UIC students now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination
Dear UIC Students,
Beginning April 12, 2021, all individuals in Illinois who are over the age of 16 are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, based on guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health. This is an important milestone in the fight against COVID-19 and particularly for UIC students, who are newly eligible for vaccinations.
In light of this good news, UI Health – UIC’s academic health enterprise – is now offering vaccine appointments to all UIC students. Vaccines are available at the Credit Union 1 Arena (525 S. Racine Ave.) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., by appointment only.
We strongly encourage all members of the UIC community to get vaccinated. We hope that all UIC students will take advantage of the free, convenient vaccination appointments that are available on campus, and make an appointment as soon as possible.
Schedule with MyChart
By Monday, April 19, UIC students who are newly eligible for vaccinations will receive an email notification directing them to schedule a vaccine appointment using their UI Health MyChart account.
When you schedule your appointment in MyChart, you will be able to easily complete pre-appointment registration and have access to self-schedule your appointment. Once you log into your account, you will be able to select an available appointment time. If there is not an available time, please check back again as appointments open up daily.
When completing your registration, please make sure to click “confirm” at the bottom of the page to successfully schedule an appointment. You will then receive an email confirmation.
For those who do not have an active UI Health MyChart account, you will receive an email containing an activation code. Once a MyChart account is established using the activation code, you will receive a notification to schedule an appointment.
If you do not have an activation code or need to reset your password, please call the helpline at 844.906.9844. The helpline is available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Schedule by phone
You can also schedule an appointment by calling the COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling Line at 833.53.MYVAX (833.536.9829). The scheduling line is available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
When calling, please select the option for “established patients” regardless of whether or not you have been seen as a patient at UI Health. As a member of the UIC community, you are considered established for vaccination purposes. Hold times may be lengthy due to the demand for vaccination.
Plan for your second dose
For planning purposes, students should be aware that UI Health is currently offering the Pfizer vaccine at the Credit Union 1 Arena. Individuals receiving the Pfizer vaccine will need two doses – this means two shots – to be considered fully vaccinated. It is recommended that the second dose be administered 21 days following the first dose, or as close to 21 days as possible
When making appointments, students are encouraged to plan ahead for a second vaccination appointment approximately 21 days later. Appointments for second doses will be scheduled by UI Health staff during first dose appointments and can be further managed in MyChart.
Explore your options
Students may also choose to be vaccinated at other locations, including personal providers, county health departments and local pharmacies. Members of the UIC community located at other sites – such as Peoria, Rockford, Springfield, Quad Cities and Urbana – may likely choose to pursue local vaccination opportunities.
Please note, it is required that you receive the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at the same location where you received the first dose.
Keep your guard up
Although COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective, they not 100% effective and may not protect against asymptomatic transmission. Therefore, everyone should continue wearing a face covering, practicing social distancing, frequent hand washing and staying home if you or a household member have any symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19.
Students are still required to participate in mandatory saliva testing appointments after vaccination – saliva testing combined with vaccination, masking and distancing are all tools to fight this pandemic.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccination at UI Health, visit vaccine.uihealth.care. If you have any questions, please send an email to covidvaccine@uic.edu.
Sincerely,
Robert Barish, MD, MBA
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs
Susan Bleasdale, MD
Acting Chief Quality Officer and Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control
Kim Bertini
Director, Nursing Excellence
Paul Gorski
Sr. Director, Clinical Services
