Prairie State Wire

COVID-19 vaccine data released by the state of Illinois show that a majority of the vaccines administered have been to those who are younger than 65 and residents have expressed frustration in trying to get the vaccine.

The Illinois Department of Health reported that of its 12.7 million residents, 507,862 residents have been fully vaccinated, or 3.99% of the population. The age demographics of those vaccinated show those 65 and older have been vaccinated at a lower rate than those between the ages of 16-64. 

The state has vaccinated 829,837 residents in the 65-plus age group, compared to 1,230,869 of those vaccinated in the 16 to 64 age group.

In addition, IDH reported that it has administered 271,142 doses to those in long-term care facilities, while its allocated doses for LTC are 445,200.

The state is currently in phase 1B of its vaccination plan, which includes frontline essential workers, inmates, people with high-risk conditions who are between 16 and 64, and those 65 and older. Health care personnel, nonhospital health care, and those in hospital or other congregate care were vaccinated in phase 1A.

Residents in the state have expressed frustration at trouble getting the vaccine.

NBC Chicago reported those who are eligible to get the vaccine are having trouble and health officials have warned the supply is low. In addition, severe winter weather has caused a delay in getting vaccines getting shipped. 

DuPage County health officials said there will be a huge number of doses available as they expect to receive 2,450 doses each week compared to the 14,000 they received weekly since December, NBC Chicago reported.

Illinois residents are becoming more frustrated by the vaccine rollout. 

Karen Lindquist told NBC Chicago that she has been trying to get a vaccine appointment for her mother. 

"I’m relentless when it’s something especially when it comes to my mother, but it shouldn’t be that hard," Lindquist told the news station.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, experts have indicated that most vulnerable to the coronavirus are those 65 and older.

The infection fatality rate (IFR) for the age group that has received the most doses in Illinois is considered low.

"Our analysis finds a exponential relationship between age and IFR for COVID-19. The estimated age-specific IFR is very low for children and younger adults (e.g., 0.002% at age 10 and 0.01% at age 25) but increases progressively to 0.4% at age 55, 1.4% at age 65, 4.6% at age 75, and 15% at age 85," according to one study.