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No, the governor isn’t going to put himself at the front of the vaccine line

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* I don’t know if either person in this exchange was aware of it or not, but there’s a malicious rumor going around that Gov. Pritzker was going to put himself at the front of the line for the new COVID vaccine, whenever it’s approved and distributed. From his press conference today..

Amy Jacobson: Governor, a number of Americans are leery of a COVID vaccine and some are asking for lawmakers to get vaccinated first. Would you or Dr. Ezike be willing to do this?

Gov. Pritzker: Sure, but I wouldn’t want to jump ahead of somebody who may be more at risk than I am. But absolutely, I understand exactly the point that’s being made.

There are competing views. There’s some people who want their communities to be moved to the front of the line. And some people from those same communities would say they don’t want to take the vaccine at all. And so we’re listening to the medical ethicists, we’re listening to the epidemiologists to make sure that we’re providing the vaccine, making it available to everybody that wants to have it as fast as we humanly possibly can. And of course messaging to people will be very important.

I’m not a doctor. I didn’t review the materials that the FDA is reviewing now. I won’t be responsible for making the decisions that the FDA will make EUA for Pfizer the emergency use authorization for Moderne and others. But I do know that there are 10s of thousands of patients who are in their trials. And so the results of those very widespread trials will be important to look at to determine whether or not these vaccines are safe. I feel somewhat confident that the quality of the people who serve on the panels at the FDA is such that they would make the right kind of decision for the American people.

And here in Illinois, of course, we have a vaccine advisory team that will be reviewing that very same data right after it is released. The White House Coronavirus Task Force, I might add, had a meeting that I was, that all the governors were part of just two days ago. Andthe head of the FDA Hahn said that all of the materials will be made available to all of us to review. So I do believe that it will be safe. We’ll be able to review the data to confirm that and I hope that people will therefore get the vaccine, as they are able to see that it’s safe.

* I haven’t written much about the vaccine here because I haven’t wanted to add to all the hype, which I don’t think is all that helpful. A buddy of mine had this to say in a text exchange earlier today and I agree with much of it…

Here’s my fear. We’re talking about hundreds of thousands of people in the priority vaccination group and we’re only slotted for tens of thousands of doses initially. This is going to take time. And we haven’t even gotten to the second priority tier, which will cover millions of people and all of this relies on vaccine approval and dose deliveries that are out of the state’s control. My fear is [Pritzker] is so eager to deliver good news that he’s going to overhype this and the masses will come away thinking, it’s finally over. And then 2 things will happen. Human nature will kick in and people will drop their guard and the virus will explode … again. And people will become increasingly frustrated as the details roll out and they learn they’re not eligible for the vaccine today, or tomorrow, or the next day, or the next week or the next month.

Just wait til someone asks the question of whether we’re going to vaccinate prison inmates before restaurant workers and bartenders. (I don’t know the answer to that one, but I’m sure it’s coming). And from what I can gather, if you are a healthy, non-first responder, non-medical professional between the ages of 18 and 65 who’s healthy, you will be the very last person to get vaccinated.

And last in line might mean … July?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:53 pm

Comments

July of what year?

Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:01 pm
Zero chance the governor is going to jump the line. And your friend is correct in that this will take time. But based on everything I’ve heard from private and government folks, I think low priority people are looking at April or May, not July.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:01 pm
In a normal world, just giving the vaccines to the highest priority health care workers and taking their word for it that it is fine would be enough. But some don’t trust doctors now, because they think this is all a hoax or overblown. I doubt there is anything or anyone that will convince some of Ms. Jacobson’s audience to take a vaccine no matter how safe it is. Ultimately it will be their loss. I agree that lawmakers should not skip to the front for perception reasons. I’m satisfied with the tens of thousands that have already taken these, and expect I will be even more satisfied with the millions who get them before I do.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:01 pm
If it can be done by the fall school year, that would be impressive.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:03 pm
“Just wait til someone asks the question of whether we’re going to vaccinate prison inmates before restaurant workers and bartenders.”

Put a timestamp on this and bring it up when Amy Jacobson asks about when prison inmates will get vaccinated. Any answer that isn’t “the end of the line” and the GOP will have a new, twisted talking point.

Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:03 pm
Where will State Employees (regardless of job title and classification) fall on the vaccine line?

Comment by State Employee Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:06 pm
I’m not getting the shot until mid ‘21 and I see my choices as living with that or not.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:07 pm
The fear is that the vaccine distribution is going to go as well as the cannabis license distribution, and the unemployment benefits distribution, and the Emergency order enforcement.

It is a reasonable apprehension.

Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:08 pm
Anyone really want to be first? Most drugs take years to develop and get long term results. Has anyone ever heard the disclaimers on drug commercials? What if 10 years from now it turns out these drugs make people sterile? Or have effects on your heart? Or cause uncontrollable rashes? Etc Etc.
I’ll go for round two or three thank you very much.

Comment by Frank talks Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:10 pm
==- Roadrager - Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:01 pm:==

Just what I was about to say. And as we learn more from trials, there may be different vaccine types that are better for some populations than others.

Another example, some of the vaccines in development don’t need the deep freeze that others do. How do we ensure that the deep freeze vaccines can be stored/distributed at the local level?

How do we manufacture quick enough?

To the post directly, I think we would mostly agree on this blog that Gov. Pritzker is an optimist and likes to see the bright side of things, but he’s not the only one doing happy talk. Fauci is already talking full sports stadiums next fall.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:10 pm
=== What if 10 years from now…===

Tell me, what else do you know now will be… 10 years from now?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:12 pm
@State Employee, I would guess that IDOT Maintenance (i.e., snow plow drivers) would go in January. Engineers who process contracts, sometime in the spring.

Comment by bogey golfer Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:13 pm
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:12 pm:

Placing some mobile sports bets? Or just making sure it won’t rain during tee time?

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:15 pm
===“Just wait until someone asks the question of whether we’re going to vaccinate prison inmates before restaurant workers and bartenders.”===

===Any answer that isn’t “the end of the line” and the GOP will have a new, twisted talking point.===

I would hope IDPH follows the science and administers the vaccine regardless of imprisonment or status in society. As for the Republicans, the party of life, this could be a trick bag. They say nobody but God has to right to choose one life over another but for sure some will howl if a prisoner gets a vaccine before someone else. They are also the party in favor of the death penalty but I digress.

Comment by Nagidam Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:18 pm
I have no problem going as fast as I can I figure vaccines always get tweaked. Like shingles now a new version that is better. Don’t wait for perfect never happen. And as to prisoners I figure they should be near top and I am a Republican. Heck not too long ago prisoners were guiniee pigs.
My question is if vaccine available for all June first and 30 percent refuse to take it are restrictions off? People don’t take is on them and everything should open up.

Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:19 pm
=== Placing some mobile sports bets? Or just making sure it won’t rain during tee time?===

Lil bit of both… #BiffToTheFuture

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:19 pm
that rumor doesn’t have to be malicious. there might be people who would be reassured about the vaccine’s safety if some big wigs went first.

Comment by jim Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:23 pm
Perhaps I’m being a cynic, but it seems like that inground pool reporter is trying to set up the governor.

In a few months, when we arrive at the plausible and unpleasant situation your friend has laid out, shes going to towel-dry herself off and try to quote the governor saying he should be vaccinated before someone else.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:31 pm
I’m 63 with mild asthma. I’ll take the vaccine when it’s available to me. I don’t know about anybody else, but I’m weary of all the people who do the whataboutisms. So what if prisoners get it before I do? I’m not living in a group setting where disease races through unchecked. People seriously need to learn to deal with it.

Comment by Manchester Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:35 pm
Fox News has already convinced my retired, healthy 70-something parents that they will be able to get vaccinated December 10th or 11th, so they are thinking we’ll be able to have our normal Christmas celebrations with the whole family. It breaks my heart that they are so completely convinced this is true.

Comment by Still Waiting Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:36 pm
Last in line will be the kids under 12 and pregnant women. They have not tested any of the vaccines on young kids or pregnant women. So everyone in my family will be waiting until 2022 to get a vaccine because I am between 18-65, my wife if pregnant, and my kid is under 12. In the interim, I will wear a mask, not go to public events, act with general intelligence, and hope that I don’t contract it and get my about 65 parents and in-laws sick.
At least the plus side to being last in line is that I might get version 2 of the vaccine which works better than version 1 because they figure out what needed to be fixed once they had mass usage. (Its like never buy anything the first year it is out)

Comment by Unionman Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:38 pm
Look how long it took to roll out testing at any kind of scale (let along set up a contact tracing program). Distributing the vaccine will be several orders of magnitude more complicated.

Comment by SAP Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:41 pm
The point of the question wasn’t out of concern that the governor would take some nursing home resident’s place.

He has linked the future of our state to an effective and widespread vaccine. It is his duty to show the people of Illinois what to do, not just sigh deeply, wring his hands, and threaten us with continued closures and executive orders if we don’t.

Comment by JB13 Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:53 pm
I don’t see it as “jumping in line” should the Governor get one of the earliest Covid vaccine shots. To the contrary I think it would show leadership and help instill confidence in many people who want to be vaccinated but are also reluctant to take the vaccine before someone they know has taken it and not shown any significant negative reactions. Plus, the governor while apparently generally healthy does exhibit at least one condition that is already acknowledged by researchers to potentially increase the effects of covid virus. JB should not hesitate and should in fact be encouraged to be administered one of the first available vaccine doses.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:54 pm
===The point of the question wasn’t===

And you know this… how?

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 5:25 pm
“question of whether we’re going to vaccinate prison inmates before restaurant workers and bartenders”

Well the inmates are in unavoidably close quarters with each other, and, prison workers who deserve protection (not just by being vaccinated early themselves). Also this would include jail inmates, some of whom haven’t been convicted of anything and are definitely people too.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 5:27 pm
==@State Employee, I would guess that IDOT Maintenance (i.e., snow plow drivers) would go in January. Engineers who process contracts, sometime in the spring.==

What about the state employees who are still expected to report to the office every day despite the stay-at-home advisory? (e.g., some of the Governor’s/CMS agencies, Secretary of State, to name a few). Since they’ve still had to answer the bell without the opportunity to work remotely since summer, can they get the chance to cut in line?

Has AFSCME or the other state employee unions mentioned anything about where state workers should fall on the vaccine distribution schedule?

Comment by State Employee Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 5:27 pm
Production will get ramped up, and a significant percentage don’t want the vaccine. I’m optimistic the general population will have access during early second quarter.

Comment by SSL Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 6:22 pm
One of the most critical underlying conditions for severe outcomes, including death, related to COVID is OBESITY. How does JB figure that he isn’t in one of the first groups that should get this vaccine? Of course he should

Comment by Law Man Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 6:37 pm
State Employee, if you are older and unhealthy, you will be in the middle of the line. If you are healthy, you will be at the end of the line.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 6:46 pm
State employee

State employees or state representatives are no more important than anyone else in this state. Many people
have been going to work every day and state employees shouldn’t jump anyone in line. Same goes for the unions. Anyone that suggests folks with a union card jump to the front of the line should go to the end of the line. Any and all healthcare workers regardless of union status, nursing home/long term care workers and residents go first. First responders next, and then go from there.

Comment by Really Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 6:54 pm
=== Anyone that suggests folks with a union card===

… and yet no one did.

Your mouth breathing is noted, but, no snark, stay safe, be well, let’s all hope for a quick distribution to those in need and most vulnerable first.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 6:57 pm
I can see employers requiring vaccination as a condition of work. Especially those where people have to be in close proximity. Those fights may start in July, after the volunteers have their shots.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 7:18 pm
The Governor will be criticized if he goes first (jumping ahead of others) and criticized if he doesn’t (doesn’t believe in/trust vaccines).

It’s beyond ironic to claim that the virus isn’t real, masks don’t work, and all businesses should stay open and then want access to the vaccine before anyone else.

Why does Jacobson even care about the vaccine? It’s all fake (or at least not a real threat), right?

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 7:24 pm
JB needs to answer Amy’s questions with a yes or no, or at most stop at the end of the first sentence.

Comment by Jibba Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 7:58 pm
Per a question in the comments, sure, I’d go first - most safety issues with vaccines occur in the first six months - I’ll take my chances with a vax tested that long.

We’re understandably impatient, but there’s going to be some “momentum for the good here” - the must vulnerable and front line workers will get it first, death rates will go hopefully go down or at least will plateau during the winter surge, and hopefully between more and more getting it and warmer weather and maybe some “heard” effect (sadly from all who are getting it now), r0 will drop and we’ll have turned the tide, even if the war isn’t won until deep into 2021 (and I know, even that’s hopefull).

Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 9:02 am