Chicago teams want residents to take their shots

People wait in line to get vaccinated against COVID-19 outside the American Airlines Conference Center at Gallagher Way in the Wrigleyville neighborhood last week. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Local sports teams and the Chicago Department of Public Health have launched a “Join the Team” campaign to encourage more people to get COVID-19 vaccinations.

Billboards and social media platforms featuring players from the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs, Fire, Red Stars, Sky, and White Sox will promote locations where residents can find COVID-19 vaccination sites.

“It is my hope and expectation that our residents, especially those who love sports, take this as their sign to get vaccinated so we can all get back to beloved Chicago pastimes,” Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot was quoted as saying in a health department news release.

Chicago, let's #JointheTeam! @ChicagoBears @NHLBlackhawks @chicagobulls @Cubs @ChicagoFire @chicagoredstars @chicagosky @chicagoredstars @whitesox are working to defeat COVID by letting Chicagoans know: the vaccine is safe, effective, & will #ProtectChicago. pic.twitter.com/RdM8l4YMJg

— ChiPublicHealth (@ChiPublicHealth) May 17, 2021

With Chicago and the rest of the state now in the “bridge phase” on coronavirus restrictions, capacity limits have been loosened in many areas, including sporting venues, restaurants, and theaters. Though the Bulls and Blackhawks no longer are playing, the Sox, Sky, Red Stars, Fire and Cubs are still playing and will be able to increase crowd capacity to 60%.

“We all play an important role in ending this pandemic, ” Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts was quoted as saying in a health department news release. “Let’s all get vaccinated to keep each other safe.”

The Cubs host one of the city’s vaccination sites at Gallagher Way next to Wrigley Field.

Two million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Chicago so far.

“Beating COVID-19 is truly a team effort – and you don’t have to be a professional athlete to contribute,” said Arnim Whisler, chairman and principal owner of the Red Stars. “Do your part. Find a COVID-19 vaccine site near you and help us bring home the win.”

City-operated vaccination sites offer the shots with or without an appointment, and that includes residents 12-to-15 years old, who can take the Pfizer vaccine.

Vaccinations are free. For the latest information on Chicago’s COVID-19 vaccine strategy, visit www.chicago.gov/covidvax.

Henrietta Nkemeh puts a band aid on Christian Clettenberg, 15, after he received a COVID-19 vaccine at the Rush University Medical Center in the Illinois Medical District on Thursday,

Book an appointment at ZocDoc.com/vaccine or by calling 312-746-4835.