* Press release…
In light of an increasing increase in the federal vaccine supply, Illinois plans to extend Phase 1B admission on Feb. 25 to people with comorbidities and underlying conditions as defined by the CDC. In addition, Illinois will also prioritize people with disabilities.
Since taking office, Biden’s administration has increased its vaccine supply by nearly 30 percent, including a 5 percent increase this week. Among the other major efforts to increase supply:
* The White House is launching a new vaccination program for the Community Health Center to send additional vaccine to places in the country that serve the most affected population, and which will increase in the coming weeks.
* The FDA is scheduled to meet to review the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine candidate, a single-dose vaccine that does not require extreme cooling and 100 percent protection against hospitalization and death in its clinical trial, on February 26, and the company said it was on track to deliver 100 million doses to the United States by June.“Once we receive enough vaccine supply, we do not have to waste any time protecting a wider section of our most vulnerable population,” Governor JB Pritzker said. ‘Those younger than 65 and living together, such as cancer survivors or people living with heart disease, have an increased risk of serious complications or death if they contract COVID-19. Illinois is moving forward in line with the guidance of the CDC to expand our eligible population as the supply allows, to bring us closer to the point when the vaccine is widely available to anyone who wants it. Meanwhile, I encourage all Illinois residents to wear our masks and follow the softeners so that more of our neighbors are healthy and alive when it’s their turn to get the vaccination line. ”
The Pritzker administration will work with local health departments and other providers across the state in the coming weeks to include these additional higher-risk individuals in their community vaccination plans. The health departments that substantially completed their existing Phase 1B population before the February 25 expansion date will be able to proceed sooner based on local public health officials and IDPH.
This extension applies to individuals 16 years and older who are not covered in the previous qualification categories.
In accordance with the CDC guidelines, Illinois will use the framework below for what qualifies as a high-risk medical condition once Phase 1B expands on February 25th.
This list is subject to change as guidance develops and does not reflect a priority order:
Cancer
Chronic kidney disease
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Diabetes
Heart condition
Immuno-compromised State of a solid organ transplant
Obesity
Pregnancy
Lung disease
Sickle cell diseaseTo date, the state of Illinois has used more than 78 percent of its vaccine on hand (not the federal government’s vaccination program for long-term care and the separate offering from the city of Chicago). All three vaccination attempts so far have yielded about 1.5 million shots, including 1.15 million first doses.
The current positive percentage of seven days in Illinois nationwide is 3.3 percent on February 10 – the lowest rate since July 2020.
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* SGOP leader Dan McConchie …
“I am delighted to hear that the sickest among us and at most the death threat of COVID-19, regardless of age, will soon have access to the vaccine,” said Republican Senate Leader, Illinois, Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods ) said. ‘Although the state had to provide a method from the outset for those whose doctors insisted that their patient’s life or health depended on vaccination, as was the case in other states, there is now a light at the end of a very long tunnel for those in greatest need.
“I hope that Governor Pritzker will create a more open dialogue with the legislature to build on this improvement, to increase the efficiency of vaccine distribution and to ensure that the state is fair and equitable to all in need. “