By: Mark Glennon*
Peoria County is Illinois’ standout for delivering vaccinations smartly — to the elderly, who have comprised the overwhelming portion of COVID deaths. It’s a lesson not just on doing things right, but on what Chicago is doing wrong — for the privileged and underprivileged alike.
Eighty-nine percent of Illinois COVID deaths are people age 60 or older, so you’d think it should be obvious that the elderly should be targeted for vaccination.
For most of Illinois, however, that hasn’t become reality. Statewide, just 57% of those 65 and over have been vaccinated as of March 14.
But Peoria County has already vaccinated over 90% of its 65 and up residents, according to Illinois Department of Health data. They did it by reaching out to seniors to get them scheduled for vaccination, instead of relying on the hunt-and-peck, hit-or-miss online system that has frustrated older people in other places. As reported by Crain’s, health officials convened with health care providers, crunched patient data, and found that roughly 90% of the county’s seniors were already in their systems.
They also enlisted independent physicians – who are often left out of the loop elsewhere in Illinois, says Crain’s – reaching out to ask for lists of patients they could get booked for shots. Health care providers made calls and even sent text-based messages to say, “Hey, we’re waiting to hear from you.” Nearby Woodford and Tazewell Counties were part of the same effort and they, too, have vaccinated more seniors than the state norm, 70% and 66%, respectively.
Chicago has vaccinated just 50% of its 65 and up citizens, compared to Peoria County’s 90% and the statewide average of 57%.
Much of that difference is entirely understandable: The city has roughly 14 times more people than Peoria County and a vastly larger, more complex system of health care providers to try to coordinate.
But nothing like Peoria County’s outreach effort and intensive concentration on seniors is in place in Chicago, leaving many seniors frustrated by the notorious scheduling system.
Most recently, as part of its “equity goals,” the city agreed with FEMA to allow all residents of certain zip codes, regardless of age or health, to get vaccinated at the United Center site. When young, healthy persons, who face no material risk, are vaccinated, shots for those who are at risk are delayed.
It’s unfortunate and wrongheaded that prioritizing seniors has somehow been muddied by questions of race and equity. That’s because the risk to minorities is to their elderly, just as it is to others. Eighty-three percent of black COVID deaths have been age 60 and up, not much different that the 89% for the state as a whole. That difference is probably due to the simple fact that fewer blacks, tragically, reach old age.
In other words, while special efforts to help minority and underprivileged areas are sensible because they have been hit particularly hard, those special efforts should be targeted to minority seniors. That makes sense regardless of race. United Center is doing the reverse. Maybe lowering the age threshold for minorities would have been a more sensible approach in light of their lower life expectancy, but blanket vaccinations for all regardless of risk makes no sense.
All COVID trends are remarkably good in Illinois, but 29 people per day are still dying from it. That’s the most recent the seven-day moving average. The final count can still be reduced by more smartly targeting vaccinations. Even now, after younger front line health care professionals were prioritized, seniors are not getting a sensible share of the vaccines. Over a recent 30-day period, we calculated, the elderly have gotten just 44% of the vaccines administered.
It’s not too late to try to be more like Peoria County. Doing so will reduce the final death toll for Illinoisans of every race.
*Mark Glennon is founder of Wirepoints.
Expect no retraction or apology. This what they do.
The state’s existing buyout program for its own pensions is the precedent for Chicago, which should be a warning: Look out for similar exaggerated claims and shoddy analysis.
All that I know is that as a white man in Chicago I pretty much expect to never be eligible for the Wuhan Virus vaccine. I’ll likely get my vaccine out of state. Probably by walking up to a privately run site like wal mart or walgreens and be vaccinated by someone who isn’t a public sector worker union member.
Come to Nebraska
Here’s the “equity” thing again. This is just simply a word now used to openly discriminate against white people. Or, should I say, “people not of color”. It is a clever, seemingly small switch from “equality” to something seemingly close. But it’s an entirely different, insidious thing that defeats everything good about our Constitution, ideals and societal norms. I am very worried about my children having to deal with this, as we are also “people of non-color.” It is becoming rapidly acceptable to discriminate even in non-economic circumstances (health), putting my kids at the back of the line for a… Read more »
Yes, us ‘rubes’ down here know how to get things done.
Thank you to the tireless efforts of medical and healthcare professionals in working to control the virus in the Peoria metro. The ‘can-do’ spirit is inspiring.
Amen. Or Awoman. Whatever.
The State knew the vaccines were coming. They’ve had months to put a plan together using the CDC guidelines. But no…political wrangling got in the way as usual and of course the “Friends & Family” payoffs contributed to the epically failed IDES system and the asinine vaccine sign-up program. At this point (90 days out) they have no legitimate excuses for not having closer to 80-90% of those most at risk vaccinated across the state. I don’t care if we had 3 weeks of freezing cold and snow. People acted like it was an unusual occurrence in this state in… Read more »
Are the northwest suburbs to ” white” to get the vaccine?-heaven forbid my 89 yr old father whos a korean war veteran get the vaccine just because of his ” whiteness”-awesome job JB and little Lightfoot!
Take a look at Walgreens right now. Plenty of appointments available in NW suburbs and all around the Chicago area.
thank you pensions!
That’s great news but it highlights what will be a growing problem with the broken appointment system we have. As Group 1B nears completion, lots of slots will open up in some areas and go unused. But when the rest of the population becomes eligible, there will be a flood again, so seniors who still weren’t able to get an appointment will be delayed again. The system just isn’t set up to get the appoint openings filled with optimum speed and in accordance with priorities.
Mark,
My comment was not providing an opinion regarding the vaccine rollout but rather a comment to help a man get his 89 year old Korean War veteran father a vaccine.
Yes, my comment was in response to the one saying there are openings in NW suburbs. God speed to your father. Insane that he should have any trouble getting the vaccine.
Peoria County used an equality strategy for COVID-19 vaccinations.
Chicago and FEMA used an equity strategy for COVID-19 vaccinations at the United Cener.
Peoria County chose equality over equity.
Chicago and FEMA chose equity over equality at the United Center.
There is an avalanche of equity policy coming from Chicago, Cook County, the State of Illinois, and the Federal government that will touch many aspects of society.
The equity revolution is here.
All aboard the Equity Train.
The end destination of the equity train is a gulag.