Weather impacts vaccine schedule in Cook County, second-dose rollout continues

Cook County public health officials announced this morning on WTIP there is no open enrollment this week for the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Extreme weather throughout much of the United States caused delays in vaccine shipping that will result in no first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine being available locally this week. The typical 8 a.m. registration period for the weekly vaccine events is not active today, according to Public Health Supervisor Grace Grinager.

Vaccination events will resume this week for people scheduled to receive the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Cook County. An estimated 400 people are scheduled to receive the vaccine in events that will take place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. All who are scheduled to receive the vaccine will receive a phone call to confirm the time and date from local public health officials. If there are not enough vaccines to complete those eligible this week for the second dose, public health officials will call to share details of what comes next regarding a delay and possible waiting list. However, Grinager said it is likely that the vast majority of those who are eligible this week for the second dose of the vaccine should receive it.

As of Feb. 23, a total of 2, 174 Cook County residents, which equates to more than 40 percent of the population, have received the first dose of the vaccine. At least 728 local residents have completed the series and are fully vaccinated.

Grinager shared all the latest local news on COVID-19 and vaccine distribution in Cook County in an update Feb. 22. She spoke with WTIP News Director Joe Friedrichs during the Daybreak program. The audio below is their entire conversation.

Joe Friedrichs February 22, 2021