"Our singular goal is for every Chicagoan, every Chicagoan, to have safe and easy access to the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, and I want to emphasize, folks, at no charge," Mayor Lightfoot said.
WATCH: Chicago mayor cautions vaccine rollout will take time
The first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines were administered in the United Kingdom Tuesday. In the U.S., the FDA has not yet approved a COVID-19 vaccine. Pfizer's is up for review on Thursday.
If Pfizer's vaccine gets approved, Mayor Lightfoot said the city could begin administering it at 34 hospitals in the city the week of December 14.
"Part of the reason we are doing all 34 of our hospitals at once, even though there's only 23,000 doses, is that we want to make sure all the vaccine is being used," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said.
WATCH: Advocate Aurora Health's Dr. Robert Citronberg discusses COVID-19 vaccine rollout
The city expects to receive about 23,000 vaccines in the initial batch with more doses coming in subsequent weeks.
"The vaccine development represents a long-awaited milestone in Chicago's - and the nation's - fight against COVID-19, and we look forward to working with our citywide partners to ensure the distribution process is executed as efficiently and safely as possible through an equity lens," said Mayor Lightfoot. "However, as encouraged as we are by the COVID-19 vaccine, widespread community distribution is still months away, and we must remain diligent in adhering to the public health guidelines as we continue to move forward toward a brighter and more resilient future for all of us."
Week two of the rollout will begin the process of immunizing residents and staff at the city's 128 long term care facilities. From there, based on federal guidance, it would likely expand to other essential workers, people 65 and over and others with multiple chronic health conditions.
There are about 400,000 health workers in Chicago, including doctors, nurses and staff. The city plans to open up vaccination clinics for health care workers, operating by appointment only.
"The situation is very fluid as we don't know how many we'll be getting from week to week, and that will require us to be nimble in how we respond. But I have complete confidence in the team we have assembled to handle this," Dr. Arwady said. "Since the beginning of the pandemic we have been working with healthcare and community partners on plans to quickly distribute a large amount of the vaccine. This will allow Chicago to start with as much vaccine as possible and continually increase the supply in the weeks and months to follow."
WATCH: Mayor Lightfoot discusses Chicago vaccine plans
But how will people know when it's their turn?
"We're going to be doing a massive communications and messaging campaign to let people know essentially when they're next up in the queue," Mayor Lightfoot said.
"There will be text messages. There will be advertisements. Lots to let people know as vaccine becomes available to them," Dr. Arwady said.
Officials said many in the first vaccine group, including staff at long term care facilities and support workers at hospitals, come from minority communities. The city vowed further distribution will be done equitably.
"Particularly in the Black community, we've had issues as it relates to equity in vaccines in the past," said Ald. Roderick Saywer, 6th Ward. "We want, we acknowledge that, and we want to make sure that science dictates what goes from this point forward."
The city says its goal is to have all adult Chicagoans vaccinated in 2021 at no cost to individuals. CDPH said thousands of vaccine providers will be ready as more vaccines become available.
The locations include doctors' offices, retail pharmacies, hospitals, and federally qualified health centers and will be available on the Vaccine Finder website.
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COVID-19 Chicago: Mayor Lori Lightfoot outlines coronavirus vaccine distribution plans - WLS-TV
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