Chicago, Illinois - Chicago's top public health official on Tuesday said she expects the city to debut a form of a vaccination passport requirement next month for access to events geared toward young adults.

Chicago public health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady gave few details about the initiative, but said it will be dubbed "Vax Pass" and will roll out in May as a means to encourage vaccination particularly in younger people in exchange for attendance at concerts or other events as the second pandemic summer begins.

"You get a vaccine, you'll be able to get into a concert or get into an event," Arwady said. "(We're) really thinking, particularly for younger people, how can we make vaccines something that people are excited about getting?"

Another campaign called "Vax and Relax" will also encourage people to get shots - this time with the reward of free haircuts, manicures and more through partnerships with salons, Arwady said.

She said the idea was not considered a "bribe" but a public health measure.

"We all want to put this behind us and getting people vaccinated is the way to do this, so I don’t think of it as a bribe," Arwady said.

Arwady declined to comment on the return of specific summer events such as Lollapalooza, but she did hint that the overall Vax Pass rollout might imitate the European Union’s plans to allow travelers from the US as long as they are fully vaccinated this summer.

Arwady discussed the Vax Pass concept during a news conference announcing that the city will be using almost US$ 10 million in federal funding to prioritize racial equity in health outcomes amid the pandemic by dividing the city into six geographic zones.

Applications for contracts paid by US$ 9.6 million in Covid-19 relief funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will begin this week and close at noon on May 28, Arwady said.

The initiative, titled "Healthy Chicago Equity Zones," will begin with community outreach for populations hesitant about getting the Covid-19 vaccine and will be led by regional groups in those neighborhoods.

Chicago this week has obtained enough vaccine to meet demand for the first time since its vaccination rollout began in December, Arwady said.