The Randolph County Board of Commissioners held meetings twice in the past week, on Wednesday, Nov. 25 and Tuesday, Dec. 1.
At both meetings, Randolph County Health Department Administrator Angela Oathout noted that the health department has been working on vaccination planning and has been holding meetings on the topic several times a week. Last week, she stated that she had submitted her mass vaccination plan to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
She elaborated that the Pfizer vaccine should be shipped out to the states in December. The state has purchased several cold storage units, as this particular vaccine needs to be kept at the extremely cold temperature of -94 degree Fahrenheit. Once the vaccine is received, the state health department will distribute the vaccine across the state.
As for who will be able to get the vaccine, Oathout noted that the first round will go to health care workers in high risk positions, like those in emergency rooms, EMTs, other first responders, direct care staff and those collecting testing samples from possibly positive individuals. The second round of those eligible to get vaccinated would include teachers.
For more from the Board of Commissioners meetings, please see this week’s print edition.