The vaccine is helping, but distribution will take time
A big national milestone provided yet more hope that the pandemic will eventually end when it was announced that more people nationwide have now received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot than have been known to be infected with the virus.
Experts are urging patience. The authorized vaccines will take time to distribute, even with a third one on the way. But recent pandemic numbers in both Illinois and Wisconsin show some promise. Deaths, new known cases and hospitalizations are all down.
Still, the country’s top infectious disease doctor told the Washington Post that it’s difficult to predict when the country will get back to normal.
“You cannot give a definite answer when you have so many moving parts,” Dr. Anthony Fauci told the newspaper.
Executive Medical Director of Infectious Disease and Prevention Dr. Robert Citronberg said that vaccination remains the way out of the pandemic. For it to work, people need to step up and get the vaccine when it’s their turn. In the meantime, transmission of the virus will be slowed by all things already known to work, such as wearing a mask and social distancing or avoiding gatherings of people.
“We are not out of this pandemic, and we still have a long way to go,” Dr. Citronberg told Fox-6 in Milwaukee.
Still, trying to figure out how to get a dose of the vaccine can be frustrating, especially as vaccine appointments are impacted by available vaccine supply. Health care providers, pharmacies and local health departments have started to distribute it to health care workers, people 65 and older and some essential workers, though local guidelines can vary. Extra focus is being put on getting the vaccine to those with risk factors and communities of color, which have been disproportionately hurt by the pandemic.
To learn more about what Advocate Aurora Health is doing and see answers to some frequently asked questions, click here.
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About the Author
Mike Riopell, health enews contributor, is a media relations coordinator with Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. He previously worked as a reporter and editor covering politics and government for the Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald and Bloomington Pantagraph, among others. He enjoys bicycles, home repair, flannel shirts and being outside.
I have received no communication from Advocate regarding placement to even schedule the vaccine. I am clearly in 1B yet no indication or instructions regarding scheduling. How will adequate communication be achieved? Other health providers are clearly in INDIVIDUAL communication with their patients. This delay is very concerning.
Instead of boasting about the number of vaccinations given, could Advocate give some benchmarks as to when a 76 year old heart patient of Advocate might expect to get the magic registration number required for vaccination. For instance, what age range is currently receiving vaccinations, or what health conditions are receiving preferential selection.
How do I find out if I’m on Lutheran General’s list to get scheduled for the COVID shot?
I have a feb 24 appointment with doctor Thomas Holmes at Nesset Health Center in Niles, Il.
Will he give me the Covid 19 vaccination at my appointment
My father is 88 years old, my mother is 84 and has Alzheimer’s. It has been very frustrating to sit and wait for their vaccination notification, when others who are younger, have received their vaccine. Their doctors simply refers us to your site. Advocate’s process heavily relies on app, computer, internet, email addresses…this is an impossible process for an elderly person. Without assistance, they would be clueless as to how to receive a vaccine. Surely, a better process could have been designed. I am very disappointed in Advocate. When will you contact the elderly in the Chicago’s South Suburbs?
moderation: give me Covid 19 vaccination
How do I find out if I am on a list at LGH to get an appointment for the covid vaccination?
When will people 65 and older be getting vaccinated? I am 66 with Diabetes and would really like to get vaccinated.
After getting 1 shot of the vaccine and then being tested for covid-19 a few days later, could I test positive?
Can I get shot i’m 68 plus I had cancer. Thanks
I am 74 years old and diabetic. When will I be called for a vaccine of covid19.
I am very disappointed with Aurora’s distribution of vaccines. It seems that everyone I know who has Froedtert or another medical service has either received their vaccine or has an appointment. Aurora has told their patients to “download the app” and the app says “Don’t call us, we’ll call you”. The few elderly patients who have been able to get an appointment have had to go to either Oconomowoc or Sheboygan. All this indicates to me that Aurora did not have a plan for vaccine distribution.
I am a retire aurora Liscensed RN. I am over 65 and high risk. I am willing to help with administering vaccines but have not received my vaccines yet Does Aurora need vaccinators in Manitowoc county?
I’m like make apmt.for Covid-19 vacina please thanks 🙏
It is time for my annual physical exam (February.) I am 82 years of age. Is it possible for me to receive my C-vaccine at the same time as my physical exam? Thank you
I would like to know why we have not had the vaccine COVID-19 yet. We are 77 and 79, with diabetes, asmatha.
I also have an illiostomy. When do we get the shot.
Aurora;
I ll be 80 in a few weeks with high blood pressure. My wife got hers last Sunday and I m still waiting. I definitely am in the right stage for eligibility.
Larry Lund
I am in the 1B group and have received nothing about scheduling a vaccine. I understand the general rollout of this is a mess but like the other comments here, all of my friends (several younger) have gotten the first shot or have an appointment for it. I just keep getting the don’t call us we will call you.