'We'll Be Ready To Go' When Vaccines Are Here, Pritzker Says

ILLINOIS — The state is making as many preparations as it can as it plans for a possible vaccine distribution, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said during a news briefing Tuesday.

"We'll be ready to go, we believe, as soon as those vaccines hit the ground," Pritzker said.

Across the country, states are preparing for vaccine distribution. Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio said he expects to receive the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines by Dec. 15, and Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey said the state could receive its first shipment of vaccines by Christmas.

During the briefing, IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said the state has freezer trucks, which will be able to carry vaccines that may have to be stored at very cold temperatures, and is also working with local health departments on their vaccine plans.

"The vaccines aren't all going to be the same," Pritzker said. "Some are going to be this -94 degrees to be stored, some will not require that, but will have different temperature requirements."

Pritzker has previously said that the at-risk population, including healthcare workers and the elderly, would be offered the first round of vaccine distribution. He has also said that any vaccine results will be independently verified by the state.

"We are staying very nimble to be able to adjust as the feds give us more information," Ezike said, adding that some hospitals have also signed up to be vaccine providers.

"We're going to watch closely, make as many preparations as we can, listen to the CDC," Pritzer said. "When the first [vaccines] come, we hope to be prepared because of all the work we've been doing, frankly since the very beginning of the pandemic."