Vaccine update: Over 10,000 doses administered at nearly 50 clinics so far

SYCAMORE – The DeKalb County Health Department reported Friday that so far, local health officials have organized 48 mass vaccination clinics and administered over 10,000 vaccines to those currently eligible who live or work in the county.

The update comes amid an ongoing vaccine reduction, which local health officials said appears to be tapering off. On Feb. 12, health officials announced vaccine doses would be significantly reduced over the next three weeks, up until at least March 8, with the county health department’s weekly vaccine allotment from the state slashed by 75%. That means instead of 1,200 doses delivered to the department weekly for mass vaccination clinics and to share with local hospital providers, only 200 to 300 doses would be given out. Local and state health officials cited continued and ongoing vaccine shortages, but did not provide reason for why the initial 75% reduction was occurring now or how certain counties were chosen for that amount.

Though that number has increased as vaccine rollout inches forward (with 700 first doses received last week instead of the expected 300), it’s unclear whether beginning next week -- the end of the initial three-week period since reductions were announced -- will bring a return to normal levels.

While local supply chains from the Illinois Department of Public Health to the DeKalb County Health Department have increased within the last week, health officials say it’s still too early to say whether the allotment will remain steady, or continue to be in flux.

“With this week’s allocation and next week’s projection, we are beginning to see an increase again,” said Lisa Gonzalez, public health administrator for the county health department Friday. “The number may fluctuate again moving forward depending on total number available to the state and need for second doses each week.”

After winter weather delayed shipments last week – equating to no vaccine deliveries the week of Feb. 14 – the health department received two shipments the week of Feb. 21.

By the numbers

As of March 4, the DeKalb County Health Department has thus far vaccinated over 10,000 people who either live or work in DeKalb County, according to a Friday COVID-19 newsletter from the agency.

The department also set aside vaccine allotment from its weekly IDPH shipments to designate to local partners, including Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee and Valley West hospitals in DeKalb and Sandwich, and Greater Elgin Center for Family Health in Sycamore. To date, 4,200 vaccine doses have been designated to those distributors to administer to their patients eligible in Phase 1a and 1b.

The health department this week received more first doses than anticipated, according to the newsletter, therefore was able to set up four first dose clinics, three second dose clinics and four mobile second dose clinics.

As part of the county’s Emergency Operations Plan (which existed as part of protocol prior to the pandemic), the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center was set up as a mass vaccination site, which also utilizes NIU trained nursing students and faculty to help administer vaccine.

The following mass vaccination clinics have been set up by DeKalb County Health Department officials to date, according to the newsletter:

-The week of Jan. 4: Two COVID-19 vaccine clinics at the DeKalb County Community Outreach Building for those in Phase 1a.

-Since the week of Jan. 14: A total of 12 (first and second dose) mass vaccination clinics were held at NIU Convocation Center

-Since the week of Jan. 14: A total of 12 clinics for seniors 65 and older were held at the health department as part of Phase 1b

-Four (first and second dose) clinics were held at Sandwich High School to ensure access to residents in the southern end of the county

-A total of 18 on-site clinics in congregate care populations were also organize through county health department mobile teams for Phase 1a and 1b

As previously reported, until vaccine supply increases, county health officials said DeKalb County will not expand its Phase 1b eligibility in line with Gov. JB Pritzker’s announcement that phased eligibility should, as of Feb. 25, also include those younger than age 65 with high-risk health conditions.

Due to the size of Phase 1b and the current allocation, health officials ask that everyone remain patient. Everyone in Phase 1b will not receive an appointment registration link at the same time. Registering multiple times will not get you higher on the list. Registration is sent out to individuals on the vaccine notification list based on the current allocation for that week.

Information on local vaccine providers can be accessed by visiting https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/vaccination-location or by reviewing additional places to register at www.shawlocal.com. You can also sign up for an appointment at participating pharmacies.

Want to know if you qualify for the vaccine in Phase 1a or 1b, or how to register with with the DeKalb County Health Department? Click here: https://health.dekalbcounty.org/about/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination/

Read more: Here’s where you can register for the COVID-19 vaccine in Illinois including pharmacy information