Will Co. Officials Working To Have More Than 40 Vaccine Providers

WILL COUNTY, IL — The Will County health officials are working to expedite the COVID-19 vaccination process in an efficient and safe manner. The county has developed a vaccination program which utilizes a collaborative partnership between Will County Health Department and over 40 different providers including local hospitals, EMS providers, pharmacies and other healthcare providers.

"The COVID-19 pandemic and our strategies to combat it are evolving quickly, almost daily," said County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. "We understand people are ready and anxious to receive the vaccine, and we want to assure everyone we are working very diligently to develop sound processes to get the vaccine out quickly and safely."

The vaccination program is based on recommendations and requirements from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the Center for Disease Control, and is a phased approach with set priority groups.

"The job we are undertaking is unprecedented, and we are trying to do it as fast as we can," said Sue Olenek, executive director of the health department. "We have over 100,000 residents who have given us their information on our on-line sign-up form, and yet there are so many more who want to receive the vaccine, which is wonderful."

She said the department has volunteers and the sites for future clinics as the county heads into Phase 1B, and 9,179 county residents have been fully vaccinated as Phase 1A nears completion.

"We have only begun the vaccination era, so we ask everyone to be patient. There is nothing we want more than vaccination shots into the arms of all those who desire it," Olenek said.

The county received its first Pfizer vaccine on Dec.16 and is nearing completion of vaccinating all individuals in Phase 1A, which includes healthcare professionals and residents of long-term care facilities.

It has now begun to contact and schedule appointments for individuals in Phase 1B, which includes those 65 and older, first responders, educators, grocery store, postal and manufacturing workers.

For more information on the registration process, visit here.

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