By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – Local health officials provided an update on the COVID-19 vaccine and its distribution.

McLean County and the entire state are still in phase 1a of the vaccination plan, according to McLean County Health Department administrator Jessica McKnight.

“Currently, as a county and a state we are very limited in our vaccines that we have received, but we are working on vaccinating those who are at highest risk for exposure to COVID-19, which is are frontline healthcare personal and residents and staff of long-term care facilities,” said McKnight.

The McLean County Health Department has vaccinated around 800 people, McKnight said. She said that doesn’t represent all COVID vaccinations given in the county, as local hospitals and other facilities are also giving the shots. There have been over 320,000 vaccines given so far across Illinois.

If you are a healthcare worker in McLean County and still need to schedule an appointment for an upcoming vaccine clinic contact the McLean County Health Department at [email protected].

Meanwhile, Phase 1b of distribution will start soon in some areas of the state. That will include first responders, essential frontline workers, and those 65 and older. Frontline essential workers include those working in education, food and agriculture, manufacturing, corrections workers, USPS workers, public transit workers, grocery store workers, and staff at shelters and day cares.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]