COVID-19 vaccine eligibility will not be extended now in Cook County and Chicago, despite Governor JB Pritzker’s plan to add people under 65 with medical conditions on Feb. 25.
There is not enough vaccine for those who currently qualify without adding another 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 possible and as effectively as possible,” Lightfoot and Preckwinkle said in a statement. “That being said, our biggest challenge in this regard is the very limited supply of vaccine we receive. As we make progress every day with vaccinating people in 1a and 1b, we are currently not provided with sufficient doses to expand our eligibility in these phases. “
The state began vaccinating health workers and people in long-term care facilities, phase 1A, in December.
The second wave, Phase 1B, of people aged 65 and older and essential frontline workers began on 26 January.
Both launches have been blocked by delays in vaccine administration, as well as confusion, especially for the elderly, about how to get appointments.
The proposed expansion would make more than 1 million people more eligible in suburban Cook County and Chicago, Lightfoot and Preckwinkle said.
“The result would be that those currently eligible, including the elderly, key frontline workers and those in our communities who are most heavily burdened by COVID would have an even harder time getting a vaccine,” they said.
Pritzker said on Wednesday that vaccinations may be extended to people with underlying medical conditions, such as cancer, due to an increased dose under the new administration of President Joseph Biden.
“As soon as we receive a sufficient amount of vaccines, we must not waste time protecting a larger section of our most vulnerable population,” Pritzker said. Those under the age of 65 who live with comorbidities, such as cancer survivors or those suffering from heart disease, have an increased risk of serious complications or death if they contract COVID-19.
He also said that people with disabilities will be a priority.
Lightfoot and Preckwinkle said the change was going too fast.
These phases were established after careful study and considered and are based on the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they said. “We recognize that the governor must make tough choices and take into account the needs of this diverse state, but given the limited supply of vaccines, we must also make tough choices as leaders of the most populous cities and counties in the state. We look forward to expanding eligibility as vaccine supply improves. “