​ILLINOIS: Details on Initial Vaccine Rollout

​The Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike provided a detailed breakdown last week of how Illinois’ vaccine distribution will work. Illinois expects to receive 109,000 doses the week following the FDA’s Dec. 10 meeting, if approved. A portion, 23,000 doses, have been specifically earmarked for Chicago as a major population center in the state.

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While the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that the vaccine be prioritized first to health care workers and those staying or working in long-term, congregate care facilities, Pritzker said that more doses would likely be coming in the following weeks. Prioritization will then be extended to those individuals with significant COVID-19 co-morbidity risks and regions with underserved, at-risk populations. 

HCAOA’s Illinois Chapter sent a letter to Dr. Ezike urging the state to prioritize home care workers in the early rounds of the vaccine.