50% Of Officers Rejected Coronavirus Vaccine: Kane Co. Official

KANE COUNTY, IL — The Kane County Sheriff’s Office recently launched a clinic to provide coronavirus vaccines to law enforcement officers throughout the county, but only about half of them want it, according to one official.

About 50 percent of all police officers in Kane County municipalities rejected the coronavirus vaccine when it was offered to them, Kane County Board member Jarret Sanchez said last week. Sanchez chairs the board’s Public Health Committee, which is tasked with overseeing the Kane County Health Department.

10K Fully Vaccinated Against Coronavirus In Kane County

“We’re hoping that we’ll see that number go up,” Sanchez said, adding officers can change their minds as the vaccination process continues.

About 55 percent of Kane County correctional and public safety officers have taken the coronavirus vaccine, Sheriff Ron Hain told the Aurora Beacon-News.

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The sheriff’s office is also working to vaccinate people being held at the jail but is facing similar issues in convincing them to take a vaccine, Sanchez said.

“It’s a challenge trying to educate everyone on (the vaccine),” Sanchez said.

Forty percent of the 400 people being held at the Kane County jail have taken the vaccine, the Beacon-News reports.

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It could take 12 weeks to vaccinate about 100,000 Kane County residents who are eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine during Phase 1b, Sanchez said. Phase 1b includes residents over 65, educators, first responders, day care staff, factory workers and farmers, grocery store workers, public transit employees, and people in prison.

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