Nearly 4,000 people in McLean County have received their first dose of the COVID vaccine, based on new vaccination data provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).The state reports 124 people in the county already have received both doses and are considered fully vaccinated.
So far, McLean County's vaccination rate is among the lowest in the state-- at .07% of the population. Only 12 of Illinois’ 102 counties have a lower rate.
The county wasn't included in the state's first vaccine distribution. Those vaccines went to counties with higher COVID-19 death rates.
Several nearby counties have had higher vaccine penetration through the opening weeks of distribution. Peoria County has reported 6,200 vaccines so far (.52% of the population) and Champaign County has had more than 7,300 people vaccinated (.24% of the population)
The vaccines are going to those in the Phase 1a group, meaning health care workers and nursing home residents.
OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington had administered nearly 1,600 vaccines doses as of Tuesday morning, according to a spokesperson.
Carle BroMenn Medical Center in Normal has given about 1,400 vaccines to medial staff as of Tuesday.
“Following public health guidelines, the hospital is now preparing to assist with patient and community vaccination efforts,” said Carle BroMenn spokesperson Lisa Slater.
McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight has said the county will likely remain in the Phase 1a group for a few more weeks before it can begin to inoculate those in Phase 1b: essential workers and people over 65.
Bloomington city officials have announced the downtown Grossinger Motors Arena will be used as a community vaccination clinic.
IDPH said Tuesday more than 353,000 vaccines have been put into people's arms so far and more than 72,400 Illinoisans are considered fully vaccinated.
The state said its has averaged 24,200 daily vaccine doses administered over the last week.
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