More than 3 million Illinois residents are expected to qualify for the coronavirus vaccine in the next phase of the state’s launch.
Governor JB Pritzker said he plans to announce later this week when the state will enter Phase 1B, although some areas may already be allowed to do so. Moving to the next phase, however, does not mean that those eligible during the first phase are not yet able to receive the vaccine.
“I hope to make a formal announcement later this week, when Illinois
will move to Phase 1B across the state, “said Pritzker during his update on the coronavirus on Monday.” Of course, anyone in Phase 1A who chose not to be vaccinated will still be able to choose any subsequent round – this is about not leaving any vaccines on the shelves as we go. “
Phase 1B will focus on residents aged 65 and over and “essential frontline workers”, including first responders, educators such as teachers and support staff, child care workers, grocery workers, postal workers and more.
The age requirement in Illinois is 10 years less than the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, “to reduce mortality from COVID-19 and limit the spread of the community in the Black and Pardas communities,” said the governor.
Phase 1B will include about 3.2 million Illinois residents, according to the state.
Illinois as a whole administered approximately 334,939 doses of vaccine on Sunday night.
“We are making important progress in Phase 1A and I thank the hard work of healthcare providers across the state to get through this phase as quickly as possible,” said Pritzker. “In some communities, they have even managed to substantially complete Phase 1A. IDPH is allowing any local health department in that position to move on to the early stages of Phase 1B because we want to make sure that any available vaccine is administered quickly to priority groups. that we define. “
Chicago health officials said they expect Phase 1B to begin in the city in February or March.
“A lot depends on how quickly the vaccine gets to us,” said Chicago Department of Public Health commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady. “We get about 32,000 doses of the first doses of vaccine a week now. Do you think about how many people there are over 65-370,000 – how many essential workers – hundreds of thousands, 150,000, just in education – are going to have to have a little patience But I would expect that we will probably start, you know, in the period from February to March, and then we will continue to vaccinate, you know, in the coming months. “
Here is a look at who will be included in Phase 1B:
- Residents aged 65 and over
- Essential frontline workers, meaning “residents who are at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 because of their work obligations, usually because they cannot work from home and / or must work close to other people without being able to work. distance socially. This includes:
- First responders: Firefighters, police, 911 workers, security personnel, school officials
- Education: Teachers, principals, student support, student assistants, day care worker
- Food and Agriculture: Processing, plants, veterinary health, livestock services, animal care
- Manufacture: Industrial production of goods for distribution to retail, wholesale or other manufacturers
- Penitentiary and prison officials: Prison officers, youth institution workers, personal support workers, inmates
- USPS workers
- Public transport workers: Flight crew, bus drivers, train drivers, taxi drivers, para-transit drivers, personal support, ride sharing services
- Grocery workers: Baggers, cashiers, stockists, pickup, customer service
- Shelter and daycare staff: Homeless shelter, women’s shelter, adult day / drop-in program, sheltered workshop, psychosocial rehabilitation