Monday, March 8, 2021 | View in browser
'What's the hold up?'
Answers to this and other questions on vaccine distribution
 As we approach one year in our fight against COVID-19, and three months since the authorization of the first vaccine, I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with an update on vaccine distribution in Evanston.
Using my inbox as a guide, below are answers to some of the recent questions that I’ve received. For those of you who’d rather watch a video than read my lengthy update, I encourage you to view last week’s “Coronavirus Q&A,” where I and staff of the City’s Health & Human Services Department answered these questions and more.
First, how many people have been vaccinated in Evanston?
To date, our Health & Human Services Department has directly administered more than 9,400 vaccine doses to those who live or work in Evanston, and distributed more than 7,000 doses to our local hospitals. You can explore the City’s new interactive vaccination dashboard (view on mobile) to see a more detailed breakdown.
Keep in mind that these numbers do not include staff and residents of long-term care facilities who’ve been vaccinated as part of a federal partnership with pharmacies, nor do they include Evanston residents who were able to secure a vaccine through their employer, pharmacy or another trusted provider. The City is working with the IDPH to receive more complete data and will incorporate it into our dashboard.
On a state level, vaccinations are increasing, with a seven-day average of 90,000 vaccines administered per day. View State vaccination data here.
Mayor, I’m over 65. I completed the City’s vaccination contact form, but I haven’t been invited to schedule a vaccination. What’s the hold up?
The City’s Health & Human Services Department and local health care institutions (think AMITA Health St. Francis, Erie Family Health, and NorthShore University HealthSystem) are all struggling with limited allocations of vaccines from the State. We were told to prepare for an increase in vaccines, but this has not yet materialized.
Why aren’t we seeing more vaccines in Evanston? From the news, it sounds like supplies are increasing.
That’s a good question, and one I’ve been asking louder and louder to the Governor’s Office, IDPH, and our State elected officials.
The State’s current approach to vaccine distribution appears to favor setting up large Mass Vaccination (MassVac) sites over utilizing our existing public health infrastructure. Although MassVac sites should certainly play a role in a national vaccination campaign of this scale, I’m concerned that our local public health department and our hospitals, which are well prepared, trained and equipped to administer large quantities of vaccine to the community, are being vastly underutilized.
What’s Evanston’s projected number of first doses for March?
IDPH has projected that Evanston will receive 1,200, 1,400 and 1,200 first doses over the next three weeks.
This seems inadequate.
I agree. Between the City and our healthcare institutions, we have the capacity to vaccinate at least 10,000 people a week in Evanston — if we have the vaccines. We are dealing with a supply issue, not a capacity issue.
So, what’s the solution?
First, I and other elected leaders that represent Evanston are going to continue to advocate strongly for more vaccines for our city. In the meantime, in addition to completing the City's Vaccination Contact Form, every Phase 1B resident should register with local pharmacies and healthcare providers. Though appointments remain scarce, this will ensure you can receive the vaccine as soon as it is available to you, whether it's through the City or through another trusted provider.
Mayor, I tried to register for an appointment at a Cook County MassVac location and was denied because I’m an Evanston resident. Why?
Because we have a certified public health department, Evanston residents are currently excluded from the Cook County MassVac sites. Given the limited supplies allocated to us, this is simply not fair to Evanston residents. We’ve voiced this concern to the County and the State, and are hopeful that residents will soon be able to register for the vaccine at these locations.
What about the United Center? Can I be vaccinated there?
Likewise, FEMA's United Center MassVac site is no longer accepting registration from those who live outside of Chicago — at least for the time being. All previously scheduled appointments will be honored, so if you have an appointment there already, keep it.
Okay, so our supply continues to be limited. Where are we in Phase 1B?
Our Health & Human Services Department’s approach has been to first vaccinate our oldest residents, who, if infected by the virus, would be more likely to develop severe complications. As of today, we are vaccinating individuals 70 and older who live or work in Evanston. The City has also provided vaccinations to public-facing and essential City employees, and those living or working in congregate living facilities.
What about early childhood education providers and teachers?
The City has begun vaccinating early childhood education providers, teachers and support staff starting with the oldest who are currently working in person with children.
President Biden said all teachers will at least receive their first vaccine dose this month. Are we on track?
We support that goal and also want our kids back in the classroom. However, we have not yet been presented with an implementation plan and corresponding vaccines to carry out this objective. At 1,200 to 1,400 first doses a week, and still thousands of seniors to vaccinate in Evanston, we lack the supplies to vaccinate other essential workers in Phase 1B at this time.
Mayor, I heard you were vaccinated. Why?
At the direction of our Health & Human Services Director, I was vaccinated not because I’m the Mayor, but because I’m part of the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
What are you doing to increase vaccines in Evanston?
I am advocating strongly to our state partners and elected leaders, as well as communicating with other federal partners. The idea that our current healthcare infrastructure is being underutilized is frustrating. I will continue to press all leaders in our community to advocate for a greater allocation of vaccines to Evanston so that we can do what we are trained and ready to do: vaccinate our community.
Any final advice, Mayor?
Yes. Register to get vaccinated any place you can. I know it’s time consuming, frustrating, and inefficient, but until the State provides more sufficient quantities of vaccine to Evanston’s Health & Human Services Department, it is imperative that our residents seek out vaccines outside of Evanston, if they’re able. View the State’s list of providers.
Lastly, despite our limited supply, I remain optimistic that Evanston will see increases in the weeks and months to come. Please remain patient, adaptable, and optimistic that we’re coming closer to containing and managing this virus.
With Continued Deep Respect,
 Stephen H. Hagerty
Mayor, City of Evanston
shagerty@cityofevanston.org
P.S. Please stay vigilant: Mask up, socially distance, avoid crowds, and wash those hands. We don't want the light at the end of the tunnel to dim.
Remembering those we’ve lost
 Kudos to former Evanston resident, Mary O'Connor, for helping bring the Floral Heart Project to Evanston last week. At a time when we cannot mourn the passing of our loved ones as we would normally, this project helped families and others know their loved ones were not forgotten. I appreciate so many Evanston organizations — from our hospitals, City, Northwestern, and schools — stepping up to support this memorial in a City that has lost 114 souls
Good Neighbor Racial Equity Fund Allocation
 Earlier today, Northwestern President Morton Schapiro and I announced the first-ever allocation of the Northwestern Good Neighbor Racial Equity Fund. This year's $1 million allocation will support a variety of bold, progressive programs aimed at strengthening underserved communities and advancing racial equity in our city, including a guaranteed income pilot program and support for minority entrepreneurs.
COVID-19 Resources
City of Evanston
Cook County
State of Illinois
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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