QUINCY, Ill. Illinois residents under 65 years old with pre-existing medical conditions will be eligible to receive vaccination to protect them against COVID-19, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday.
The Phase 1B distribution plan on Feb. 25 will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for vaccinating pregnant women and people with diabetes, heart disease, cancer, sickle cell disease and other conditions.
Many of these people may already be eligible because theyre 65 and over or theyre in a covered profession, but those who are under 65 and live with comorbidities have an elevated risk of serious complications or even death if they contract COVID-19, he said during a tour of a vaccination site in Quincy. As quickly as we receive vaccine supply, we need to waste no time in protecting them.
Currently, those eligible for vaccination include health care workers, nursing home residents and workers, some other front-line essential workers and all residents 65 or older.
The Pritzker administration says the expansion is possible due to increased federal vaccine shipments to the state. It also notes Johnson & Johnsons one-dose COVID-19 vaccine is on track for emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration as soon as the end of the month.
Pritzker said Illinois is making progress in adding more vaccination sites, with 517 vaccination locations established statewide. However, he conceded making an appointment requires patience because the state hasnt received enough vaccines to provide for everyone who is eligible in phase 1B.
Illinois has received 2,152,425 vaccine doses, with nearly 1.5 million administered as of late Tuesday.
Also Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said there is pathway for the citys bars and restaurants to eventually serve 50% of their indoor capacity. Beginning Thursday, the businesses can serve 25% of capacity or 50 people, whichever is less.
Lightfoot said the expansion of indoor capacity to 40% will be granted once the city reaches moderate risk level in metrics that include the number of daily COVID cases and hospital capacity. She said the city is trending in the right direction.
The Illinois Department of Public Health on Wednesday reported 2,825 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in the state. That brings to more than 1.1 million cases since the start of the pandemic, including 19,739 deaths.
As of late Tuesday, 2,082 people in Illinois were hospitalized with COVID-19, with 464 patients in intensive care units and 232 patients on ventilators.
by: Michelle Robertson, Nexstar Media Wire
Healthcare volunteer Melissa Lowry prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at a regional vaccination site, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Wakefield, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
(NEXSTAR) The COVID-19 vaccines have a series of typically mild side effects, including soreness at the injection site, swelling, fever, headache, fatigue and muscle aches.
If youre experiencing these symptoms after getting a COVID-19 vaccination, does that mean the vaccine is working to protect you in the future?
According to Dr. Richard Kennedy, a professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic and the co-director of the Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group, the answer is yes side effects mean your immune response is kicking in response to the vaccine. But the initial symptoms you feel are only half the story.
Heres how it works: Your immune system has two different components innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Innate immunity is your bodys first-line response to an outside invader.
Innate immunity does the same thing every time it sees a microorganism in your system. Its got to recognize that youre infected, sound the alarm and start the adaptive immune response, Kennedy said.
Innate immunity does those first two things very well. Its not very good at protecting you against viral infections, he continued. Its more of a speed bump to slow it down.
After your bodys innate response, which occurs at the first sign of an infection or virus, adaptive immunity takes over. This kind of immunity is responsible for the creation of B and T cells, which can blast away infection.
Though the current vaccines do not contain live viruses, they do trigger your immune responses to protect you. When you receive a vaccine, your innate immunity is stimulated first, which can lead to soreness, heat, fatigue, muscle aches and headaches, which should dissipate within a few days.
Within a week-and-a-half or so, your adaptive immunity starts firing, offering you actual protection from the virus.
Its like your immune system has a two-step approach, Kennedy says. The first one is all the side effects youre getting from a vaccine, and the second one is making T cells and B cells and actually protecting you from the virus.
INDIANAPOLIS (WPTA21) - Indiana's Chief Medical Officer says as soon as the state gets a bigger supply of the COVID-19 vaccine, officials will open up the registration to Hoosiers 60 and up.
Health care workers, first responders, long-term care residents, and Hoosiers 65 years and up have been able to sign up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
While 735,000 Hoosiers have received the first dose of vaccine, and nearly 260,000 are fully vaccinated, that leaves out a large population of residents.
The state's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver said she understands that folks are frustrated they can't yet sign up.
Right now, she said health officials are focusing on giving the shots to those who are most at risk of suffering serious complications or death from the virus.
Up next are Hoosiers ages 60 and up. Dr. Weaver said the state plans to increase eligibility as the state receives more and more vaccine.
This population (Hoosiers 60-65) includes approximately 432,000 people.
Dr. Weaver said it's incredibly important to target this population because this age group accounts for 93 percent of the COVID-19 deaths in Indiana.
When health staffers have vaccinated an appropriate number of people in the 60-65 age group, the state will expand eligibility.
Dr. Weaver said in the following phase of vaccine eligibility, Indiana will give shots to Hoosiers 50 and up, and those with certain comorbidities:
Indiana state health officials estimate 51,000 Hoosiers with these medical conditions will be contacted by their health care provider to arrange a vaccination.
Dr. Box said the state is more than ready to give shots to more and more Hoosiers, but it all comes down to a lack of supply of the vaccine.
To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and resources near you, click here.
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Here's the latest news on the vaccine rollout in North Texas.
This story will be updated throughout the day as new information is released.
Here's the latest news on the vaccine rollout in North Texas happening Wednesday.
For a daily roundup of the latest news from around North Texas and beyond,sign up for the WFAA email newsletter.
Here are the vaccine numbersas of Wednesday morning in Texas:
Lewisville hosting vaccine registration event Wednesday
The city of Lewisville is hosting a vaccine registration event to help people get signed up for their dose.
It will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Lewisville Public Library (west entrance off Civic Circle) at 1197 W. Main St., Lewisville. There will be mobile hotspots on-site for free Wi-Fi access.
The sign-ups will be for the Denton County Public Health Interest Portal.
There will be assistance available for Spanish and Chin speakers.
The event was originally at Central Park but was moved due to the weather.
Dallas City Council District 7 holding vaccine registration events
Dallas City Councilmember Adam Bazaldua's staff are hosting several vaccine registration events throughout District 7 on Wednesday to help people get on the waitlist for Dallas County.
Below are the events happening Wednesday:
Grand Prairie and Irving joint vaccine site to reopen
The joint vaccine facility for Grand Prairie and Irving will reopen Wednesday
It's at The Theater at Grand Prairie, 1001 Performance Place, Grand Prairie, 75050.
There will be 1,000 Moderna vaccine doses administered at the location. The vaccines are for people in groups 1A or 1B. Walk-ups are not allowed.
Registration is required through Dallas County Health and Human Services.
Here is the process for the vaccine registration:
Vaccine Registration Process:
Parkland sites to close Thursday through Monday due to weather
Parkland, which operates sites at Ellis Davis Field House and Eastfield Community College (Mesquite) will be closed Thursday, Feb 11 through Monday, Feb. 15 due to the extremely cold weather.
Patients who have an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine, first or second dose, at Ellis Davis or Eastfield on these days should instead go to Parkland Memorial Hospital at 5200 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas 75235 at their scheduled vaccine appointment time and date.
Patients should park in the Tower Garage and go to the main hospital lobby where Parkland staff will direct them to go for their vaccination once in the hospital.
Patients unable to go to the hospital for their appointment will be contacted by Parkland to reschedule their vaccination appointment in the upcoming days. Patients are asked to please do not contact Parkland.
In addition, Parkland-operated COVID-19 walk up testing sites at Sam Tasby Middle School in Dallas, Irving Health Center and West Dallas Multipurpose Center will be closed Thursday, Feb.11 through Monday, Feb. 15. Regular hours will resume Tuesday, February 16. For more information visit, https://www.parklandhospital.com/covid-19-testing.
Drive-thru operations to begin at Fair Park
Dallas County Health and Human Services said it will begin drive-thru operations starting at 12 p.m. Wednesday at Fair Park. A limited number of doses for anyone 55 and older with certain underlying health conditions who have an appointment will be available, the department announced on Twitter.
"This change in age for the vaccination criteria will be communicated to all staff and volunteers working at Fair Park," the tweet said.
Health officials said vaccinations for first doses are by-appointment-only and people need to show their QR code or provide their name and date of birth to verify the appointment.
The department said vaccinations for second doses do not require an appointment at this time. People are advised to bring a vaccination card and follow the return date written on the card.
According to health officials, people may also receive a reminder text for their second dose with instructions to fill out a form. Community members are asked to fill out the form prior to arriving at Fair Park. They will also receive a QR code, to help speed up the vaccination process, officials said.
If people don't have their vaccination card with them, staff on-site will be able to look people up by name to confirm they received the first dose at Fair Park.
Health officials said people can only receive their second dose at Fair Park if they received their first dose at the same location.
Tarrant County to host two drive-thru vaccination sites with Fort Worth ISD
Tarrant County officials have come to an agreement with the Fort Worth Independent School District to host two drive-thru vaccination clinics at district properties now through Sept. 30, officials announced Tuesday night.
The clinics will be in the parking lots of two district facilities:
The district is providing the locations free of charge to the county, officials said.
CVS expected to open up vaccine appointments at pharmacies across Texas on Thursday
CVS Health announced last week it would begin distributing COVID-19 vaccine doses at 70 pharmacies across Texas this week.
Appointment bookings will become available as early as Thursday, Feb. 11 as stores get vaccine shipments, according to the company. That was originally supposed to be Tuesday, Feb. 9, but has been pushed back due to a shipping delay.
The locations will begin to offer the vaccinations starting Friday, Feb. 12, a change from the originally planned day of Feb. 11 due to the slight delay.
To register for an appointment, patients must be in either Phase 1A or 1Bof Texas' vaccine plan.
Once registration opens, people who are eligible can sign up online at CVS.com, through the CVS app or by calling 800-746-7287. The locations will not provide vaccinations to walk-ins.
Note: Appointments are not yet available in Texas.
Dallas ISD hosting registration events for vaccine waitlist
The Dallas Independent School District is holding regular events to help people register for the waitlist to get the vaccine.
Fannin County officials postpone vaccinations due to weather
Fannin County's COVID-19 vaccine hub that was originally scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday has been postponed two weeks due to weather, officials said.
The vaccines will now take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 24, the Fannin County Office of Emergency Management said in a news release.
Anyone that was originally scheduled for Feb. 10 will have the same scheduled appointment time on Feb. 24, according to officials.
Those who have been affected by the postponement have been contacted by the county's vaccine scheduling center.
"Due to the winter weather forecast, the immediate safety of the citizens traveling in hazardous conditions is top priority," the news release stated.
Click here for more information on the county's vaccine call center.
Massachusetts has opted to include residents and staff at correctional facilities in its first phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution. But getting vaccinated is a choice and some incarcerated people are hesitant to be first in line.
There are a number of people who are taking a wait-and-see attitude, says the Rev. Gloria White-Hammond, M76, H06, co-pastor at Bethel AME Church in Boston, a retired physician, and trustee emerita at Tufts University. And of course our concern is that while youre waiting and seeing youre still being exposed.
White-Hammond was part of a group of experts who held multiple Ask Me Anything sessions at two jails in Boston last week, working to make sure incarcerated people have access to the information they need to make an informed decision on the vaccine.
The conditions in prisonsshared living spaces, communal meals, poor ventilationare ideal for facilitating the spread of a respiratory virus like COVID-19. According to a December report from the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice, the confirmed case rates of the virus in prisons are more than triple the national average.
Even with the best prevention techniques, youre still going to have it because of the congregate living setting, says physician Alysse Wurcel, J00, GBS14, an infectious disease specialist at Tufts Medical Center and an assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. She joined White-Hammond and the Rev. Liz Walker, a member of Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group, in the question-and-answer sessions.
Outbreaks in prisons can fuel outbreaks in the surrounding communities, Wurcel says. Prisons dont exist separately from the rest of society; staff come and go on a daily basis and many people are only incarcerated for short periods of time.
Our society is only as healthy as the sickest person, Wurcel says. Its only as healthy as the most vulnerable.
Wurcel, who works to prevent and treat infectious diseases in prisons, notes that the majority of people who are incarcerated turn down the annual flu vaccine. She worried that acceptance rates for the COVID-19 vaccine would be equally low.
There is some variability, but some jails are having up to 50 percent of incarcerated people accepting the COVID vaccine, Wurcel says. To outsiders that might seem really, really low, but I think it is promising. Youre talking about someone saying, Okay, stick a needle in my arm, when they dont necessarily have a lot of faith in the medical system.
After generations of medical exploitation, mistreatment, and neglect, Black people are far more likely to distrust the health care system, White-Hammond says. And they are significantly overrepresented in U.S. prisons because of targeted policing, uneven sentencing and other manifestations of systemic racism.
White-Hammond wasnt surprised when a man at the South Bay House of Correction expressed his concerns about being used as a guinea pig for the vaccine.
He said there must be something wrong with the vaccine, White-Hammond says. I know people are having a hard time getting it on the outside. Why would they be giving it to us first, unless they were trying to test something?
To recognize this history of medical abuses, the women played a video about the now-infamous Tuskegee syphilis study, in which hundreds of Black men were denied proper diagnosis and treatment for the disease. The study ran for decades, long after penicillin had been discovered as an effective cure. Many of the men died from syphilis and related complications or unknowingly spread the disease to their spouses, who in turn passed it on to their children at birth.
We wanted to highlight that and let people know, yes, this is very real. This did happen. And youre not crazy, White-Hammond says. Lets acknowledge this historical reality and the extent to which it has been, and is, an unjust system. Lets make it right in the context of the pandemic.
The incarcerated individuals also had many of the same questions that everyone is asking: If youve already had COVID-19, do you need to get the vaccine? (Yes.) Should you still wear a mask after getting it? (Yes.) How long does it last? (Were not sureyou might need a booster down the line.) How do we know its safe? (It has gone through multiple phases of clinical trials, been reviewed by panels of experts and been approved for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration.)
The goal wasnt to convince every person to get vaccinated, Wurcel says, but to answer their questions, listen to their concerns and let them decide for themselves.
Theyre at risk for spreading the virus, for bringing it back into communities in which they dont have access to equitable health care, Wurcel says. Were meeting people where theyre at.
Be wary of coronavirus vaccine scams as Minnesota ramps up statewide community vaccinations.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota Just as COVID-19 vaccinations are ramping up, so are the scams surrounding them. According to the AARP Fraud Watch Network, legitimate people contacting you about your vaccination, whether the government or your health care provider, will not ask for money, credit card number, SSN or bank account. Offers to sell or ship doses are scams.
While there have not been widespread reports of vaccine-related scams, it is likely to increase as more Americans become eligible to receive vaccines. The scams AARP has seen are fake registration links that collect personal information, or solicitations to receive the vaccine early for a fee of $79.99.
And as more doses become available, more health care providers will be contacting their clients to schedule vaccinations. Imposters could impersonate health care providers to phish for personal information and demand fraudulent payments. If you're unsure, verify your health care providers phone number, email address and/or website before responding by calling their main contact line.
Imposters could also pose as public health officials. For the legitimate state website, click here. Those who registered for the pilot lottery program and were selected to schedule an appointment may be notified by phone, text or email depending on their preference indicated during registration, and caller ID will show (833) 431-2053. For questions about the vaccine contact the Minnesota Department of Health at 1 (800) 657-3903.
When it comes to the coronavirus vaccine, we all just want to know the facts. How much does it cost, and where and when can I get the vaccine? AARP can help you cut through all of the confusion and just get the facts you need to decide if you want to get the vaccine. Just click here.
If you suspect a vaccine scam, report it to the office of the Minnesota Attorney General. The number to call is 1 (800) 657-3787. Or, you can contact the AARPFraud Watch Network helpline at 1 (877) 908-3360.
AARP is the nations largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment.
A group of about 20 volunteers banded together to create another alternative resource for connecting eligible Massachusetts residents with COVID-19 vaccination sites. Kunal Shah, a product manager for a local company, said his motivation to participate in VaccinateMA.com came during a visit to his parents in California. They were having trouble trying to navigate the system in that state and another group of volunteers created their own website there.The Massachusetts state website has led to a great deal of frustration, especially since the start of Phase 2 opened appointments to residents age 75 or older -- if they can find them.The state's website is essentially a directory of vaccination locations. When it launched, that directory was only available in the form of a map but a search-by-zipcode function has since been added. Shah and the other volunteers saw the frustration with the state's website and thought they would be able to help. "For us, its literally how can we in as few clicks as possible figure out, help you figure out, where there is a vaccination site with available appointments in as few taps on your phone or on your desktop as you possibly need," he said.They started with the state's list of vaccination sites but the volunteers also make regular phone calls to vaccine providers to check on whether appointments are currently available. "We're actually checking with these locations every single day to see what are the latest number of appointments available and if there are scheduling opportunities available for people in Phase two," he said. Shah and the other volunteers aren't the only ones to have had a similar idea. Olivia Adams, a software engineer from Arlington, created macovidvaccines.com after observing the frustrations her in-laws were having with the state's website. Adams said Monday that her website was getting 400 hits per minute. Still, all of these websites are essentially directories repackaging information about where vaccines are offered. Eligible residents must still follow a link to another site in order to apply for their appointment. There is no central portal to enter patient information and each vendor has its own registration form that must be filled out, which is frustrating if you have to check for availability at multiple locations.In response to the widespread frustrations, state officials launched a phone service to help eligible residents book appointments. The call center, accessible through 2-1-1, is open from Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. The governor said it will be available to those age 75 and over who do not have access to the state's website.If the call taker is unable to immediately schedule an appointment, Baker said residents will be offered a chance to be put on a callback list for future help.
A group of about 20 volunteers banded together to create another alternative resource for connecting eligible Massachusetts residents with COVID-19 vaccination sites.
Kunal Shah, a product manager for a local company, said his motivation to participate in VaccinateMA.com came during a visit to his parents in California. They were having trouble trying to navigate the system in that state and another group of volunteers created their own website there.
The Massachusetts state website has led to a great deal of frustration, especially since the start of Phase 2 opened appointments to residents age 75 or older -- if they can find them.
The state's website is essentially a directory of vaccination locations. When it launched, that directory was only available in the form of a map but a search-by-zipcode function has since been added.
Shah and the other volunteers saw the frustration with the state's website and thought they would be able to help.
"For us, its literally how can we in as few clicks as possible figure out, help you figure out, where there is a vaccination site with available appointments in as few taps on your phone or on your desktop as you possibly need," he said.
They started with the state's list of vaccination sites but the volunteers also make regular phone calls to vaccine providers to check on whether appointments are currently available.
"We're actually checking with these locations every single day to see what are the latest number of appointments available and if there are scheduling opportunities available for people in Phase two," he said.
Shah and the other volunteers aren't the only ones to have had a similar idea. Olivia Adams, a software engineer from Arlington, created macovidvaccines.com after observing the frustrations her in-laws were having with the state's website.
Adams said Monday that her website was getting 400 hits per minute.
Still, all of these websites are essentially directories repackaging information about where vaccines are offered. Eligible residents must still follow a link to another site in order to apply for their appointment.
There is no central portal to enter patient information and each vendor has its own registration form that must be filled out, which is frustrating if you have to check for availability at multiple locations.
In response to the widespread frustrations, state officials launched a phone service to help eligible residents book appointments.
The call center, accessible through 2-1-1, is open from Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. The governor said it will be available to those age 75 and over who do not have access to the state's website.
If the call taker is unable to immediately schedule an appointment, Baker said residents will be offered a chance to be put on a callback list for future help.
2 On Your Side is Verifying information about over-the-counter drug use and the vaccine.
BUFFALO, N.Y. 2 On Your Side is getting a lot of questions from viewers about the COVID-19 vaccine.
QUESTION: "I got the Moderna 1st vaccine a week ago. Not knowing info that is now available, I had a baby aspirin the night before and my 200 mg Celebrex that a.m. My shot was given about 11:30 a.m. What effect would that have on my vaccine? When I get my 2nd shot how long should I wait to take those medications?"
To verify answers, we went to Dr. Thomas Russo, Chief of Infectious Disease at the University at Buffalo.
Dr. Russo says we have no data as to whether medications will impact the immune response with this vaccine.
"But, it's best to avoid any pre-medications, taking drugs beforehand. If you do develop symptoms, I think it's OK to take Tylenol first if necessary, and if you have really significant symptoms, and Tylenol is not getting it done, then I think it's OK to take non-steroidals such as Advil or Mortin," Dr. Thomas Russo said.
As for as how long you should wait after, Dr. Russo says you should only take pain medications if needed.
Others want to know if they have to restart the vaccination process if they took an over-the-counter pain medication before getting their first dose. Dr. Russo says no.
"Please don't stress about it if you took one of these medications. I'm sure you're going to be fine. I'm sure you have a reasonable immune response, but when in doubt, if you wanted to avoid one of these medications after vaccination, I would probably avoid the non-steroidals or ibuprofen," Dr. Russo said.
Bottom line, Dr. Russo says talk to your doctor about the medicines you're taking before you get your vaccine.
QUESTION: "Can I take over-the-counter pain medication before getting the vaccine?"
"First, it's generally recommended that you should not pre-medicate before getting vaccinated. Do not take any Tylenol, or Mortin, or Advil in anticipation of perhaps reactogenic symptoms. That is because there is a theoretical possibility, and some data based on prior vaccines, that these medications could modify your immune response and obviously we want an optimal response when you're vaccinated," said Dr. Russo.
QUESTION: "What should I take if I don't feel well after getting the vaccine if I need an over-the-counter pain medication?"
"I would start with Tylenol. That is least likely to modify your immune response, however, if Tylenol is not adequate, then I think it would be okay to take non-steriodal such as ibuprofen, which is Mortin, or Advil. But in most instances, the reactogenic symptoms will only last for 24 hours. Local symptoms can be treated with a cool cloth. There is probably a greater concern that non-steroidals such as ibuprofen, which goes by the name Motrin or Advil, are more likely to modulate your immune response than Tylenol, so I would definitely start with Tylenol first. Obviously, if you're concerned that you want to develop the best immune response, if you could avoid taking any medications at all, then that would obviously maximize your chances of the possibility that these medications could affect that response," says Dr. Russo.
So, we can Verify that Dr. Russo says go with a cool cloth before reaching for the Tylenol or other medications.
If you have something you'd like us to Verify, send us an email at verify@wgrz.com, message us on social media, or text our Text 2 line at (716) 849-2200.
Vaccination drives hold out the promise of curbing Covid-19, but governments and businesses are increasingly accepting what epidemiologists have long warned: The pathogen will circulate for years, or even decades, leaving society to coexist with Covid-19 much as it does with other endemic diseases like flu, measles, and HIV.
The ease with which the coronavirus spreads, the emergence of new strains and poor access to vaccines in large parts of the world mean Covid-19 could shift from a pandemic disease to an endemic one, implying lasting modifications to personal and societal behavior, epidemiologists say.
Going through the five phases of grief, we need to come to the acceptance phase that our lives are not going to be the same, said Thomas Frieden, former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I dont think the world has really absorbed the fact that these are long-term changes.
Endemic Covid-19 doesnt necessarily mean continuing coronavirus restrictions, infectious-disease experts said, largely because vaccines are so effective at preventing severe disease and slashing hospitalizations and deaths. Hospitalizations have already fallen 30% in Israel after it vaccinated a third of its population. Deaths there are expected to plummet in weeks ahead.
But some organizations are planning for a long-term future in which prevention methods such as masking, good ventilation and testing continue in some form. Meanwhile, a new and potentially lucrative Covid-19 industry is emerging quickly, as businesses invest in goods and services such as air-quality monitoring, filters, diagnostic kits and new treatments.
