Eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine will not be expanded in Cook County and Chicago, despite the government’s plan, JB Pritzker, to add people under 65 with medical conditions on Feb. 25.
There is not enough vaccine for those who currently qualify without adding another 1 million people to the list, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle said in a joint statement.
“Our goal is to get as many people vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible,” Lightfoot and Preckwinkle said in the statement. That said, our biggest challenge in doing so is the very limited amount of vaccine we receive. not us to expand the suitability in these phases. “
In December, the state vaccinated health workers and people in long-term care facilities, Phase 1A.
The second wave, Phase 1B, of people aged 65 and over and essential frontline workers began on 26 January.
Both have been implemented through vaccination delays, as well as confusion, especially for the elderly, about how to get appointments.
The proposed expansion would prefer more than 1 million more people in the suburbs of Cook County and Chicago, Lightfoot and Preckwinkle said.
“The result would be that those who are currently eligible, including the elderly, essential workers in the front line and those in our communities with the heaviest COVID taxes, have an even harder time getting a vaccine,” they said.
Pritzker said Wednesday it is possible to extend vaccinations to people with underlying medical conditions, such as cancer, as a result of increased doses under President Joseph Biden’s new administration.
“Once we receive enough vaccine supply, we do not have to waste any time protecting a broader section of our most vulnerable population,” Pritzker said. “Those younger than 65 and living together, such as cancer survivors or people suffering from heart disease, have an increased risk of serious complications or death if they contract COVID-19.”
He also said that people with disabilities get preference.
Lightfoot and Preckwinkle said the change is going too fast.
“These phases were determined after thorough study and consideration, and are based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” they said. “We recognize that the governor has to make difficult choices and consider needs in this diverse state, but given the limited supply of vaccine, we must also make the difficult choices as the leaders of the most populous city and county in the state. We look forward to after expanding the suitability as the vaccine supply improves. “