Gov. J.B. Pritzker Visits Aunt Martha's To Launch Partnership

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health announced on Friday an expanded partnership with Federally Qualified Health Centers across Illinois to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. The partnership is an effort to ensure an equitable rollout of vaccinations across the state, officials said.

According to a news release from Pritzker's office, starting in March, the partnership will direct vaccines from the state’s allocation to select health centers, building on a federal program that will begin with 25 health centers in certain states and ultimately expand to hundreds across the nation. The health centers will then administer vaccines to underserved populations, including the homeless, migrant workers, public housing residents and those with limited English proficiency.

Additionally, the state health department will begin publicly reporting demographic data on vaccine administration, including race and ethnicity, according to the release. Since moving from Phase 1a to 1b, the data has shifted to more closely reflect the overall demographics of the state, but work remains to ensure communities of color are fully represented, the release states.

"Starting in March — when we expect increased vaccine supply — Illinois plans to provide a specific increased set aside vaccine allocation for our federally qualified health centers as part of our continuing effort to reach those who may not have a primary care provider or who are most challenged when it comes to healthcare access," Pritzker said. "This is another step in my mission to weave equity into every one of our goals when it comes to this vaccine rollout — I’ve said since the beginning that what we can’t do is let the vaccine distribution exacerbate inequities that existed long before COVID-19 — inequities that I’m committed to eliminating. We need to continue to move thoughtfully through this health crisis to overcome the disadvantages too many people have lived with in our healthcare system for far too long."

Earlier in the week Pritzker announced that Illinois will move to an expanded Phase 1b on Feb. 25, which will include individuals with underlying conditions and those with disabilities. Pritzker said the expansion will also ensure Illinois' most vulnerable populations, "in which people of color are overrepresented," will have access to the vaccine as quickly as possible.

"We have made equity a priority at every step of our Vaccine Administration Plan, but as we saw minority populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, we are also seeing disparities in vaccination," said Illinois Department of Public Health director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. "By enlisting providers who work in communities hardest hit by the disease, we hope to reduce disparities and increase vaccination rates across all populations. While we are doing that, we also need to continue with community engagement to increase acceptance."

Aunt Martha’s Chicago Heights Community Health Center, located at 1536 Vincennes Avenue, is among the health centers included in vaccine administration. Pritzker joined the center on Friday, highlighting accomplishments it has made throughout the pandemic.

"This organization, Aunt Martha's, has been doing amazing work. 40,000 COVID tests performed, 10,000 face masks distributed [and] 25,000 telehealth patients served. You've made an enormous difference for so many residents," Pritzker said. "We're here to celebrate Aunt Martha's work in providing the COVID-19 vaccine to approximately 1,500 patients so far, in part because of the team's effective work. Aunt Martha's is also partnering with the Department of Children and Family Services, to deliver the vaccine to frontline child welfare workers around Illinois, who are at risk every day, as they perform their duties."

"Today there's even more good news. I'm happy to report that our statewide vaccinations yesterday reached a new record of 95,400. That beats our old record by 20,000, a day," Pritzker said. "Overall, we now have more than 800 and this vaccination sites and can continue to update our coronavirus.illinois.gov website with the latest vaccination locations."

Aunt Martha’s CEO Raul Garza said he looks forward to the facility administering even more inoculations than the 1,500 it already has. He made note that his father, Raymond Garza, had died after testing positive for the virus on New Year's Eve.

"I urge you to take the vaccine," Garza said. "My father, Raymond Garza, like so many people, did not have the opportunity to be vaccinated. That wasn't granted to him at the point he was at in his life. And so I hope that people are able to make that decision. And if we have to have 10 conversations with you, that's what we're willing to do."

Pritzker also said that one in two people offered the vaccine choose not to receive it. The governor said that receiving the inoculation will decrease the length of the pandemic.

"Each shot brings us one little step closer to putting this pandemic behind us," Pritzker said. "So in the meantime everybody, let's mask up. Let's keep on fighting."

For more information, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health website.