Central Illinois assisted living facilities are scheduling their first COVID-19 vaccination clinics in the coming days — but weeks later than the rollout in skilled nursing care.
Long-term care residents and staff are a top priority for the state's vaccination efforts under the 1A wave.
The latest numbers released by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) on Friday show nearly 72,000 COVID-19 cases reported in long-term care facilities since last March. That's only about 6.4% of the total COVID cases reported statewide. But with more than 9,400 deaths, long-term care facilities account for nearly half of the state's total COVID deaths.
But the long-term care group is split into two distinct categories: skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.
The former began administering vaccines back in late December. But for assisted living facilities, that process is just beginning in Illinois.
"To date, 16 long-term care facilities in Peoria County have either received their first or completed their second dose of vaccines. This includes all of our skilled nursing facilities, and has started through our assisted living facilities," said Peoria City/County Health Department Administrator Monica Hendrickson.
For facility managers across central Illinois, anxiety can turn to guarded optimism once the first vaccines arrive.
Snyder Village in Metamora administered more than 200 first doses of the coronavirus vaccine to staff and skilled care residents on Jan. 18.
"The weariness is getting to everyone. So just that we are able to take this step to protect our residents and all of our employees and co-workers, that is a huge deal," said Marketing Coordinator Angela Kauffman. "So it's just kind of a little sigh of relief, while we're still holding our breath—and being careful."
Assisted living residents at Snyder Village are expected to receive their first shot of the vaccine on Jan. 31.
Ryan Taylor, vice president of pharmacy services at Green Tree Pharmacy in Minonk, is overseeing the vaccine task force for Heritage Health's dozens of long-term care facilities.
"Across our 45 to 50 Heritage facilities, between staff and residents, we're right at about around 3,400 individuals that have been vaccinated with at least dose one," Taylor said. "So significant progress is being made."
Heidi Peak, executive director of the Villas of Hollybrook in Morton, said its first vaccination clinics for assisted living residents and employees start Feb. 6.
"We are being very patient here," Peak said. "Of course, there is some anxiety about the wait a little bit. But everyone has stayed very calm here. And just overall, it's a very positive feeling, because we just had to be patient and wait for a clinic date."
Peak said the plan is the plan is to vaccinate 80 to 85 residents at the long-term care facility through CVS Omnicare that is part of the federal vaccination program.
In recent days, Gov. JB Pritzker has criticized that federal partnership for a slow vaccine rollout. But those companies say the governor is to blame.
Republicans in the State Senate also have turned their fire to Pritzker, noting only 20% of the more than 537,000 doses allocated to Illinois for long-term care facilities have been administered.
But in his response, the governor said the federal government didn't make sure the national pharmacy chains had enough employees to effectively administer those doses.
"In terms of the entire vaccine campaign, we just wish everything could go faster. A lot of that has to do with the volume of vaccine that we receive. And as this moves forward, patience is our best friend," said Hendrickson.
IDPH said more than 42,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the Tri-County area since December. But only a tiny percentage of the population is fully vaccinated.
Hendrickson said she often receives inquires about whether its possible for the local health departments to supplement long-term care vaccinations. But because a portion of the allocation already is "taken off the top" by the government for the federal program, Hendrickson said that would essentially use up the limited vaccine supply earmarked for other groups.
"We completely understand where the public is coming from, especially individuals that have loved ones in there. And understand, it's patience. It's coming. We understand that frustration completely," she said.
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