PEORIA (WEEK) — Between 65 percent and 75 percent of Peoria County residents will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in two weeks, but vaccine distribution is still far from equaling demand.
Peoria City/ County Heath Department Administrator Monica Hendrickson says increasing the eligible population that can get the vaccine doesn’t solve current shortages.
“While this is increasing the number of people that are eligible, it doesn’t actually increase the amount of vaccine we have,” Hendrickson said.
On February 25, the Illinois Department of Public Health is expanding the amount of people able to receive the shots. Right now, Phase 1B includes seniors and frontline essential workers.
In two weeks, it will include people ages 16-65 with health issues, such as cancer, heart conditions and obesity.
“With the level of vaccine we’re getting, by February 25, I don’t see any dramatic changes in terms of the number of appointments that are going to be available,” Hendrickson said.
While the vaccine remains scarce, there is some good news. On Thursday, more than 300 new vaccination sites were added statewide, bringing the total to more than 850.
Many of these new sites are at pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS. Many of those locations will be receiving their shipments directly from the federal government.
Hy-Vee is another local vaccine provider. They have been giving vaccinations at 16 Illinois locations for the past three weeks. However, they get their shipments from the IDPH.
Public Relations Director Christina Gayman says demand for their doses remains high.
“Truly, just like everywhere else I’m sure, as soon as we open up new appointments in our scheduler, they are booked within a few hours,” Gayman said.
Gayman is hoping for increased vaccine shipments in the coming months to help meet demand.
But for the time being, the Peoria City/ County Health Department is urging the public to be patient, even as more people become eligible for the vaccine.
“It’s going to be just asking more people to be more patient with us,” Hendrickson said.
