OTTAWA - The LaSalle County Health Department, in coordination with the LaSalle County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office received and delivered their second shipment of Pfizer vaccine to all three hospitals in the county on Jan. 6.

Hospitals have started providing the second dose of Pfizer vaccine to their front-line healthcare workers who received their first dose in mid-December. 

“The partnership with our local hospitals has been instrumental in ensuring efficient and safe distribution of the vaccine to our county’s healthcare workers in this initial phase of vaccine distribution, known as Phase 1a,” said Julie Kerestes, Public Health Administrator of LaSalle County Health Department.

Hospital system personnel and most EMS workers will be vaccinated through the hospital systems, and other healthcare providers not affiliated with a hospital will coordinate with the LaSalle County Health Department and be provided information and direction on receiving the vaccination at a local hospital.

LaSalle County is in Phase 1a of vaccine administration, which includes healthcare personnel and long-term care facilities. It is unknown how long the county will remain in this phase, as timing depends on the quantity of vaccine received each week and the number of interested persons in this phase.

The LCHD understands the general public has questions about when their turn will come to receive the vaccine. Please note, as vaccine availability increases, vaccination recommendations will expand to include more groups. The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as large quantities of vaccine are available. As vaccine supply increases but remains limited, ACIP, and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will expand the groups recommended for vaccination.

LCHD is currently planning for Phase 1b and working to determine eligible organizations and number of doses needed at future clinics. LaSalle County is not keeping a list of interested community members for future phases. As the county moves to Phase 1b, information and directions will be made available explaining how to register for the vaccine once eligible. They will reach out to eligible organizations and/or provide information through local media partners, social media pages, and website with information regarding clinics when the county moves into Phase 1b.

More information about future phases will be available soon. LCHD will be diligent in updating the public regarding the COVID-19 vaccination plan for the county. Please watch for more information through their website www.lasallecounty.org, social media pages and with local media partners.

Please note, any healthcare employee working in LaSalle County and not affiliated with a hospital system is encouraged to visit www.lasallecounty.org and click the red COVID-19 Vaccine icon on the right side of the page. Look for a red “Healthcare Employee Vaccine Sign-Up” link where you can register to receive a vaccination.