UPDATE 2/13/21 9:00 AM: Tri-County health departments say they are reducing vaccination appointments as the state dramatically reduces the allocation of COVID-19 vaccines in the coming weeks – but the governor’s office says that is not quite the case.
Peoria County expects only 500 doses a week from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for the next two weeks, and 1,000 during the week from February 28 to March 6. The county has consistently received about 2,000 a week since vaccines first launched in December.
Tazewell County will receive 400 doses per week for the next two weeks and 800 from February 28 to March 6. Woodford County will see only 200 vaccines in the next two weeks and 300 from February 28 to March 6.
“The allocation of the Illinois Department of Public Health vaccine to local health departments has been reduced over the next two weeks. The reduction in vaccine delivery reduces the number of appointments available to schedule,” says a joint statement from the Tri-County departments of health.
Because of reduced allocations, health departments in those counties said they will not expand vaccination group 1B to include people with comorbidities like cancer, diabetes and heart problems until they are sure of a more consistent supply.
On Wednesday, Governor JB Pritzker announced that he was expanding 1B eligibility for these groups as of February 25.
But on Friday night, the governor’s office rejected the figures released by local health departments.
“Counties are receiving the same or more total doses than in previous weeks. The only difference is which doses are the first doses and which are the second doses,” said a spokesman for the governor. “In the coming weeks, the first batch of vaccinated people will need their second doses. Therefore, allocations will need to ensure that they are covered. The total number of doses destined for counties has not been reduced.”
WCBU also contacted IDPH for more information on the reasons behind the cuts in vaccine allocation.
“As the vaccine launch continues, more doses need to be used for the second doses, so the number of first doses is expected to decrease for counties across the state,” IDPH replied in a statement emailed to questions asked by a WCBU reporter.
Earlier this week, Peoria city / county Health Department administrator Monica Hendrickson said the local health system has the capacity to do up to 15,000 vaccinations a week. The main obstacle to accelerating the pace remains the limited supply of vaccines, she said.
The number of appointments available for scheduling for those on current waves 1A and 1B will be reduced, but the Tazewell County Health Department said that all confirmed appointments must still await a vaccination.
As of Thursday, the municipality of Peoria had 7,360 vaccines in stock. This included 3,510 in the health department and another 3,850 in community partners, such as hospitals and Heartland Health Services. Tazewell County had 1,490 vaccines in stock. Woodford had 1,240.
On Wednesday, US deputy Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, told reporters that the federal government would soon implement a system to predict the distribution of vaccines three weeks in advance, instead of the current standard week.
Health departments ask residents to continue wearing masks, socializing and washing their hands frequently.
This story will be updated.
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