THE STATE’S TOP PUBLIC HEALTH DOCTOR IS DISCUSSING VACCINE HESITANCY WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. 

DIRECTOR DOCTOR NGOZI (en-gahzi) EZIKE (eh-zee-kay) TESTIFIED AT A U-S HOUSE SUB-COMMITTEE HEARING, OFFERING HER THOUGHTS ON WHY SOME WON’T GET THE COVID-19 VAX AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. SHE SAYS THOSE MOST LIKELY TO SKIP THE SHOT INCLUDE YOUNGER ILLINOISANS, RURAL RESIDENTS AND MINORITIES.

EZIKE SAYS THE STATE WILL CONTINUE OUTREACH EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THOSE SPECIFIC POPULATIONS AND CONCERNS. MORE THAN 56-THOUSAND DOSES ARE ADMINISTERED EACH DAY IN ILLINOIS.

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST DATA, ABOUT 71 PERCENT OF THOSE AGES 12 AND UP ARE FULLY VACCINATED. A LITTLE OVER 36 THOUSAND KIDS AGED FIVE TO 11 IN ILLINOIS HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE DOSE.