Democrat Senator to Investigate Slow COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
A vial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine waits to be distributed. State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) has scheduled a hearing Thursday on the state’s slow rollout of the vaccine.
A Democratic state senator has scheduled a hearing into the state’s slow rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.
From Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest):
As COVID-19 vaccine distribution continues, Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) and her colleagues have fielded hundreds of questions and concerns from people across the state about the rollout, leading her to schedule a hearing to help get to the bottom of the confusing process and call for a more comprehensive and timely plan.
“The COVID-19 vaccine is the greatest line of defense we have against the pandemic,” Morrison said. “Unfortunately, many people across the state who are eligible for the vaccine haven’t been able to get their dose – and that’s disheartening. I hope this hearing will lead us toward a path of greater efficiency.”
Senator Morrison will be joined by representatives from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Sangamon County Health Department, Chicago Department of Public Health, George Miller Safety Net Hospital, Walgreens and CVS — among others.
The hearing will focus on frequently asked questions and concerns regarding the rollout and supply of the COVID-19 vaccine. Morrison hopes the conversation will help distribution become more convenient and readily available.
She is the first legislative Democrat to publicly question the state response to the vaccine rollout. Republicans have criticized Governor JB Pritzker’s response for weeks. Thousands of seniors around the state, many with major medical conditions, have been unable to get the vaccine yet due to delays distributing the vaccine or a shortage of it.
The virtual hearing is scheduled for Thursday.