Suitability for the COVID-19 vaccine is not currently being expanded in Cook County and Chicago, despite Gov. JB Pritzker’s plan to add people under 65 with medical conditions on Feb. 25.
There is not enough vaccine for those currently eligible without adding 1 million more people to the list, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle said in a joint statement.
“Our goal is to get as many people vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible,” Lightfoot and Preckwinkle said in the statement. That said, our biggest challenge in this is the very limited supply of vaccines that we receive. While we are making progress every day in vaccinating people in 1a and 1b, we are currently not getting enough doses to allow us to expand the suitability in these stages. “
The state began vaccinating health workers and people in long-term care facilities, Phase 1A in December.
The second wave, Phase 1B, of people 65 and older and key frontline workers began on January 26.
Both implementations were paralyzed by delays in getting vaccines and confusion, particularly for seniors, about getting appointments.
The proposed expansion would see more than 1 million more people in the suburbs of Cook County and Chicago qualify, Lightfoot and Preckwinkle said.
“As a result, those currently eligible, including seniors, frontline workers and those in our most COVID-burdened communities, will have an even more difficult time getting a vaccine,” they said.
Pritzker said Wednesday that it is possible to extend vaccinations to people with underlying medical conditions, such as cancer, due to an increased supply of doses under President Joseph Biden’s new administration.
“Once we get enough vaccine, we don’t have to waste time protecting a wider portion of our most vulnerable population,” Pritzker said. “Those younger than 65 living with co-morbid conditions, such as cancer survivors or those with heart disease, have an increased risk of serious complications or death if they contract COVID-19.”
He also said people with disabilities would be a priority.
Lightfoot and Preckwinkle said the change is moving too quickly.
“These phases came about after careful study and consideration, and are based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” they said. “We recognize that the governor must make tough choices and consider the needs of this diverse state, but given the limited supply of vaccines, we also have to make the tough choices as leaders of the most populous city and county in the state. We look forward to expanding eligibility as the range of vaccines improves. ”