“Our sole goal is to get safe and easy access to the COVID-19 vaccine for every Chicago, every Chicago, soon, and I want to emphasize that people are free of charge,” said Mayor Lightfoot.
Clock: Mayor Lightfoot discusses Chicago vaccination plans
The first Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine was given in the United Kingdom on Tuesday. U.S. In, the FDA has not yet approved the COVID-19 vaccine. Pfizer is up for review on Thursday.
If Pfizer’s vaccine is approved, Mayor Lightfoot said the city could begin operating it in the city’s 34 hospitals in the week of Dec. 14.
Chicago Public Health Commissioner Dr. Ar. “We are operating 34 of our hospitals at a time, part of which, despite having only 23,000 doses, we want to make sure that all vaccines are being used,” said Alison Arwadi, Chicago’s public health commissioner. .. Allison Arwadi said.
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The city expects to receive about 23,000 vaccines coming in higher doses next week in the initial batch.
“Vaccine development is a long-awaited goal in Chicago – and the country – in the fight against COVID-19, and we look forward to working with our citywide partners to ensure that the distribution process through equity lenses is run as efficiently and safely as possible. We are, “said Mayor Lightfoot. “Nevertheless, as we promote the COVID-19 vaccine, widespread community delivery is still months away, and we must work hard to adhere to public health guidelines as we move toward a brighter and more resilient future for all of us.” From. “
The second week of the rollout will begin the process of immunizing residents and staff at the city’s 128 long-term care facilities. From there, based on federal guidance, it could potentially be extended to other essential workers, 65 and more, and others with multiple chronic health conditions.
There are about 400,000 health workers in Chicago, including doctors, nurses and staff. The city plans to open vaccination clinics for health care workers, managed only by appointment.
“The situation is very fluid because we don’t know how much we will get from week to week, and how we will react to it will require agility. But I have full confidence in the team that has come together to handle this. “Dr. Arwadi said. “Since the onset of the epidemic we have been working with health care and community partners on plans to quickly distribute large quantities of the vaccine. This will allow Chicago to start with as many vaccines as possible and increase the supply continuously for weeks and months.”
But how do people know when it’s their turn?
“We’ll have a massive communications and messaging campaign to let people know when we’re in a queue,” said Mayor Lightfoot.
“There will be text messages. There will be advertisements. There is a lot of talk to let people know that the vaccine is available to them,” said Dr Arwadi.
Officials said the first vaccine group, including long-term care facility staff and support workers in hospitals, comes from many minority communities. The city promises that further distribution will be done evenly.
“Especially in the black community, we’ve had problems because it’s related to similarities in vaccines in the past.” Roderick Sawyer, 6th Ward. “We want, we accept, and we want to make sure that what science dictates goes beyond this point.”
The city says its goal is to vaccinate all adult Chicago adults free of charge by 2021. The CDPHA said thousands of vaccine providers would be ready as more vaccines became available.
Locations will include doctors’ offices fees, retail pharmacies, hospitals and federally qualified health centers and the vaccine finder will be available on the website.
Chicago hospitals are preparing for the arrival of the vaccine
The Chicago Department of Health is working with more than 30 hospitals in all parts of the city to prepare for the vaccine.
Chicago-area hospitals, without knowing how much they will receive, are planning a round of COVID-19 vaccine deliveries.
Amita Health Vaccination Steering Committee Chairman Dr. “We were now waiting to hear what the allocations would be,” said Michael Callaher. He said the group exists to help make the distribution process as simple as possible, but finding out who gets it is part of a complex plan.
“We are putting together protocol as well as staff training,” said Ali Ahmed, Clinical Research Director at Loreto Hospital.
Amita health officials said the first would be “doctors, nurses and support staff who will take direct care of CVD-1 patients.”
The University of Chicago Medical Center said they plan to begin vaccinating employees next week. Hospital officials said they expect more than 1,900 doses in the first round. But there will be plans in the hospital for more than just the number of doses.
“Not just how much we get, but how do we get it?” Dr. Kalehar said. “The Pfizer vaccine requires ultra-cold storage, which creates rational difficulties with its distribution.”
While smaller hospitals like Loreto in the city’s Austin neighborhood are working to ensure they attract attention, like large medical groups.
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“It is critical that this vaccine is provided to communities that are hit hardest and need it the most,” Ahmed said.
While many hospitals are still working on crafting their distribution plans, one thing is for sure, there is a way to get vaccinated.
“We’re living through this now, it’s an incredibly exciting stressful time but I think it’s a very exciting time now because we can see a little light at the end of the tunnel,” Dr. Callaher said.
Hospital officials are reminding everyone who will not participate in this first round of guards and not let their guards down and continue the best practices of health.
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