Rettke: With April 12 on the horizon, here’s what we still need to know for expanded vaccine rollout

How many of you reading this have gotten fully vaccinated already? Broken your family fast of not-seeing-anyone for over a year? Gotten to hug a parent or grandparent? Or grandchild? Stepped outside in public and felt safer? Done all that and lamented those you’ve lost who aren’t with you anymore? Or are still awaiting an elusive vaccine appointment?

As I ponder what we’ve endured this past year, I’ve been ruminating on vaccine numbers.

I’m usually that kind of journalist--not great at math but fixated on data and how we can use it to tell a story.

Like this one: Over the past few days, Midwest governors in at least three states (Missouri, Iowa, Illinois) have announced ambitious goals for vaccine distribution. All Iowans will be eligible for vaccine April 5. In Missouri, it’s April 9. And in Illinois, April 12. On the heels of President Joe Biden’s declaration that all adults in the United States will be eligible to receive a vaccine by May 1, many such as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker are saying they can do it sooner.

I want to believe that. But what do these leaders know that we don’t? We keep hearing more vaccine is on the way, but we have yet to see the numbers locally to back that up, or even support the current eligibility demand.

The DeKalb County Health Department is ready and able to get 1,000 coronavirus vaccines into the arms of residents daily. And with the National Guard having arrived last Wednesday, that capacity is only going to increase.

So what’s the holdup? Oh yes. Vaccine supply. It’s been a month since the DeKalb County Health Department told the Daily Chronicle its weekly vaccine shipment from the Illinois Department of Public Health would be slashed by 75% (first doses, that is). It should be noted that the state did not announce this information until after the local health officials did.

No reasoning was given as to why that initial reduction occurred, why specifically then, or why to us in Region 1 and who came up with that 75% number. State and local health officials maintained that supply is low.

In conversation last week with Lisa Gonzalez, public health administrator for the DeKalb County Health Department, we discussed the realities of our weekly allotments here in DeKalb County so far. She said she’s been told Johnson & Johnson vaccine is “on the way,” with no clear timeline. We’ve also received a small shipment of Pfizer.

But even with the Moderna vaccine coming into DeKalb County, that still only accounts for less than 4,000 doses per week into the health department.

According to numbers provided to us by the health department, DeKalb County was allocated 700 first doses and 2,700 second doses the week of Feb. 14. During the week of Feb. 21, it was 1,000 first doses and 2,700 second. The week of Feb. 28, we got 2,870 first doses and 300 second doses. The week of March 7 we were allocated 3,270 first doses and 700 second doses. And this past week, we were allocated 2,100 first doses and 700 second doses. That shipment was expected this past Monday, Gonzalez told me.

We are past the three-week mark for reductions and we’re getting weekly shipments that still don’t match the significant demand from those currently eligible.

“If by the 12th of April it truly is increased, great, but based on what I’ve seen so far it’s sort of hard to believe that we’d be able to accommodate that number of people,” Gonzalez told me.

Pritzker also said last week the state would continue to send a “three-week supply” to health departments so they can better plan out vaccine clinics. Gonzalez said the state hasn’t done that here yet.

We know local pharmacies are also able to offer the vaccine -- and get a separate shipment funneled from the IDPH -- but we don’t know how much per week. According to the IDPH, 6,340 vaccine doses have been allotted this week to pharmacies across the state. That’s not very many when split between the 740 or so pharmacies accepting appointments statewide. Anecdotally, we continue to hear pharmacy vaccine appointments remain hard to come by.

To help, the Shaw Media Local News Network has started a daily COVID-19 vaccine log. We have a reporter who tracks in all of our coverage areas (including DeKalb County) the pharmacy websites daily and if you check in the morning, will share where he’s finding open appointments, and where is full. Use that if you can. Search for Vaccine Central at www.shawlocal.com.

[ Vaccine Central: Where we’re finding COVID-19 vaccine appointments in northern Illinois today ]

If you aren’t lucky enough to score a pharmacy appointment, that leaves you with the health department. Ready and raring to go, but limited due to vaccine supply and lack of information from the state.

I’d suggest you call the health department directly at 815-748-2401. You’ll get a local person on the phone who will be able to tell you what clinic availability, and get you a timeslot and email to send details to. You’ll need to bring with you the appointment ticket they’ll email you, a photo ID or proof of employment such as a pay stub or work badge.

The health department is now welcoming callers (those who live or work in DeKalb County only) and who are eligible (Phase 1B and Phase 1B+, including certain essential workers expanded as of last Friday, those 65 and older, and those with certain high-risk health conditions).

But at 4,000 doses per week, with who-knows-how-many coming in at the handful of local pharmacies offering vaccine appointments in DeKalb County, we may still have roadblocks ahead as eligibility expands to everyone.

I am in full support of anyone being able to receive the vaccine if they want it. But in order to streamline the process, we need to know what, apparently, state officials already know: is more vaccine coming in? And when?