Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (CBS) — The first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine were headed to hospitals late Sunday, and were poised to be administered to frontline health care workers within hours.

The precious cargo started leaving Pfizer’s facility in Michigan early Sunday. It is a logistical challenge that involves factory workers, truck drivers, and even airline pilots.

On Sunday night, CBS 2’s Steven Graves broke down what the distribution in our region will look like.

The vaccine is a long time coming for health care workers. Hospitals like Stroger Hospital of Cook County and many others will get the vaccine first.

Illinois will receive more than 100,000 doses in the first run, while Indiana will receive a little more than half that many.

COVID-19 cases and deaths are still major concerns in both states.

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine shipped out in frigid temperatures from the drug company’s Kalamazoo, Michigan site on Sunday. Truckloads of it were escorted by police.

Planes also filled up.

It is a portion of the approximately 3 million initial doses headed out nationwide. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said the state will get 109,000.

Counties with the highest COVID-19 death rates will take priority. Leaders in each area will determine allocations.

Chicago will manage its own supply and initially get 23,000 doses. Nine hospitals will store and distribute the vaccine.

Vaccination sites for health care workers – the first to receive the treatment – could look much like the makeshift pods now set up at Rush University Medical Center for the purpose. The plan is to vaccinate 1,000 staffers a day.

At Stroger, the plan is to vaccinate hundreds a day. In DuPage County, some doctors expect to get the shot as early as Tuesday.

Indiana is slated to get about 55,000 doses, at a time when the state is experiencing record hospitalizations.

“We do believe when nurses get a vaccines themselves, they role model the behavior we feel will set us on the path to attain widespread vaccination,” said Emily Sego, President of the Indiana State Nurses Association.

Northwest Indiana’s Munster Community Hospital is slated to serve as a pre-positioning site.

Right now, there is no mandate for people to take the vaccine. People are also encouraged to stay socially distant and mask up.

Also From CBS Chicago:

Source: CBS Chicago

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Is Dumped by His Senator Wife Over Allegations of Infidelity

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has been dumped by his state senator…
Man in suit reviewing documents.

Evidence of Torture Discovered on Fired Putin Minister’s Body Before Alleged Suicide

The Kremlin has been charged with concealing the demise of a dismissed…
Angela Paxton at her husband's impeachment trial.

Senator Angela Paxton Announces Divorce from Texas Attorney General Ken on Biblical Grounds After Nearly 40 Years of Marriage

TEXAS Senator Angela Paxton has filed for divorce from her attorney general…
ESPN tried to destroy me with 'smear campaign' after I left

Former ESPN Employee Claims Network Launched Smear Campaign After Departure

Dan Patrick had the ESPN machine behind him for all those years…

Migrant Forcibly Removed from California Medical Clinic by ICE

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents forcibly detained a 30-year-old undocumented migrant…

Watch the Eulogy That Led Police to Charge Teen in Her Parents’ Murder

The chilling footage released by the Daily Mail shows a 17-year-old girl…

John Fetterman reacts to Trump’s commendation for agreeing with him

Democrat Senator John Fetterman garnered commendation from former President Donald Trump for…
'General Hospital,' 'The View,' 'Live with Kelly and Mark,' and Anthony Mackie are among the Daytime Emmy Awards nominees.

Daytime Emmy Nominations Include ‘General Hospital,’ ‘The View,’ ‘Live with Kelly and Mark,’ and Anthony Mackie

LOS ANGELES — The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has…
Archaeologist unearths mysterious Christian settlement hidden away for centuries

Archaeologist Discovers Long-Lost Christian Settlement Hidden for Centuries

An archaeologist recently discovered what are likely the remains of a long-lost…

300-Year-Old Sunken Ship with £101M in Treasure Discovered off Madagascar After Pirate Attack

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered a 300-year-old shipwreck laden with treasure worth over £101…

Man Loses Leg Due to First Aid Error

A father-of-one has told how he was forced to have his leg…
July 2025 Full buck moon in Capricorn: steady surrender

July 2025 Full Buck Moon in Capricorn: Embrace Stability and Letting Go

There’s a full moon rising in the grit and grind, strive and shine sign of the…