Galesburg Reporter

As states begin their preparations to distribute COVID-19 vaccines, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) has assigned the first vaccines that will be delivered to counties having the highest death rates per capita. At the end of the second week of December, Illinois recorded 48 new coronavirus deaths throughout the state.

Knox County is planned as one of the 50 counties to recieve these first vaccines. Knox County currently ranks 26 out of the 50 counties with the highest COVID-19 deaths per-capita. The death toll for Knox County is currently 66 people total, with 53 of those deaths having occurred within long-term care facilities.  

The first shipment of approximately 109,000 vaccines will arrive to Illinois around mid-Dec. The statw is currently adhering to federal guidelines for distributing the vaccinations, first prioritizing medical professionals and nursing home residents. Across the U.S., there are about 24 million healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents that fall into this category. No information was provided by state officials regarding the number of residents who also qualify for this category. 

Pfizer vaccine also needs specialized refrigeration to be stored at –94 degrees Fahrenheit. | File Photo

In a Chicago briefing, Pritzker stated that it will take time and adjusting to administer the first available vaccines.

"Some quick math will tell you that it’s going to take multiple weeks of distribution to even get our health care workers their first of the two doses that they require, while also getting to the long-term care facility residents," Pritzker said.

The two leading vaccines are from pharmaceutical company's Moderna and Pfizer, and both require two doses, administered at least 3-4 weeks apart from one another, and are said to be fully effective. In addition to the timing constraints, the Pfizer vaccine also needs specialized refrigeration to be stored at –94 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Another topic that was of great importance during this briefing were concerns of potential line-cutting, favoritism for the wealthy and politically-connected. On this matter Pritzker stated that all 96 county health departments will be required to submit a distribution plan to the Illinois Dept. Of Public Health (IDOPH) the aligns with state regulations. 

"They’re responsible for distributing the vaccine to the providers that will administer it to the communities that are in each phase as it's laid out. That’s the most important thing," said Pritzker.