The eligibility of the COVID-19 vaccine will not be expanded in Cook County and Chicago now, despite Governor JB Pritzker’s plan to add people under 65 with medical conditions on February 25.
There is not enough vaccine for those who currently qualify without adding an additional 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 vaccinate as many people as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Lightfoot and Preckwinkle in the statement. “That said, our biggest challenge is the very limited supply of vaccine we are receiving. Although we are making progress every day with vaccinating people in 1a and 1b, we are currently not receiving enough doses that would allow us to expand eligibility in these phases . “
The state began vaccinating health professionals and people in long-term care facilities, Phase 1A, in December.
The second wave, Phase 1B, of people aged 65 and over and essential frontline workers began on January 26.
Both launches were hampered by delays in obtaining vaccines, as well as confusion, especially for the elderly, about how to get appointments.
The proposed expansion would make more than 1 million eligible people in the suburbs of Cook County and Chicago, said Lightfoot and Preckwinkle.
“The result would be that those currently eligible, including the elderly, essential frontline workers, and those in our communities most burdened with COVID, would find it even more difficult to get a vaccine,” they said.
Pritzker said on Wednesday that it is possible to expand vaccination for people with underlying medical conditions, such as cancer, because of an increase in dose delivery under President Joseph Biden’s new administration.
“Once we get enough vaccine supplies, we don’t have to waste time protecting a wider part of our most vulnerable population,” said Pritzker. “Those who are under 65 and living with comorbidities, such as cancer survivors or those living with heart disease, are at an increased risk of serious complications or death if they contract COVID-19.”
He also said that people with disabilities would be prioritized.
Lightfoot and Preckwinkle said the move was going too fast.
“These phases were established after careful study and consideration, and are based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” they said. “We recognize that the governor must make difficult choices and consider needs across this diverse state, but given the limited supply of vaccine, we must also make difficult choices as city leaders and the state’s most populous county. expand eligibility as the vaccine supply increases