In a COVID briefing today, Chicago health commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said the city received an additional 21,450 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 16,200 doses in its first shipment of Modern injections. The city expects to use them this week, in addition to the “more than 20,000” doses of Pfizer’s first shipment that have already been given to patients.
Both the city – which receives doses directly from the federal government – and the state expect more each week. Still, said Arwady, the city expects only health care workers and nursing home residents to receive doses “in January and entering February”
Arwady said the 20,000 people vaccinated so far are mostly health professionals living in the city. Some non-urban health care workers in Chicago have also been vaccinated, said Arwady, but did not say how many.
Despite some national delays, Arwady said, the city has been getting the number of doses it expected. Hospitals were given the initial priority and shipments are now going to some clinics and nursing homes in the neighborhood. A priority now, she said: “Home health workers. We are focusing on them very early. “
Arwady did not elaborate on whether the city would follow or change the recommended federal priorities as it moves from Phase 1A – health workers and nursing home residents – to Phase 1B. Federal regulators have suggested that some “essential” workers and those over the age of 75 be prioritized in Phase 1B, with those over 65 plus other essential workers and those with underlying medical conditions waiting until Phase 1C. But other states, including Florida and Texas, said they would include anyone over 65 in Phase 1B.