CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — At a legislative hearing, some Illinois lawmakers were questioning the way—and to whom—the state is giving doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike told the Illinois Senate Health Committee that officials are distributing doses of the COVID-19 vaccines so fast that there are using up reserves that were being held for second doses. She said the federal government is not sending enough vials.
But Rockford Republican Senator Dave Syverson complained about prison inmates getting vaccinated before people with underlying health conditions.
“Who made the decision that healthy inmates should be getting vaccinated before some of these that are really at risk that are afraid to leave their homes, that can’t go to work?” Syverson said.
Deputy State Health Director Andrew Friend said the issue is who’s more at risk.
“These inmates are folks who are in a congregate setting, to where they are always in that congregate setting and they can’t self-isolate at home or take other precautions,” he said.
Glenview Democrat Laura Fine was concerned about teachers, saying some in her district likened trying to get vaccinated to the “Hunger Games.”
Friend assured her vaccine deliveries are increasing.
“So we hope to continue to increase and speed up the speed in which Illinoisans can all get access to vaccine within their phase, but knowing it is going to take some time. We just need to exercise patience,” he said.
Fine replied, “Thank you, I appreciate that, and I know my school districts would just like more direction on what they can tell their teachers, because there is a lot of confusion out there right now.”
Other lawmakers wanted more information about vaccine distribution meant to maintain equity.
Plus, a few Republican senators complained that IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike could not stay for the entire virtual hearing.
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