ROCK ISLAND COUNTY, Illinois -
Tonight there's growing frustration in communities who've not received H1N1 vaccinations despite being hit by H1N1 cases. News 8's Chris Williams spent the day trying to figure out why Rock Island County hasn't received its shipment.
Of our Illinois counties, Rock Island has the largest population. Many smaller counties surrounding it have some of their doses and have even hosted clinics. Tonight it's unclear when the vaccine will arrive in Rock Island County and local, state and federal officials have no idea when it'll show.
"Every day we keep coming in and saying today is gonna be the day. We're gonna get it. And we keep waiting and we don't have it yet", said County Public Health Administrator, Wendy Trute. "It's frustrating. We've done all the correct paperwork and we know other counties are starting to get some too."
Today we contacted the Illinois Department of Public Health, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other Illinois county health departments in our area and none of them could explain the process behind deciding when a shipment of the shot and mist arrives.
In fact, the I.D.P.H. told us the federal government tells the drug manufacturer who should get it first. The C.D.C. told us the decision is made at the state level. Trute's asked the same question and gotten the same mixed explanations.
"I wish I could explain the order and I can't", she said, "I would love to know that answer too."
Even more frustrating is the fact many of the other county health departments have at least some of their requested order. Officials in Jo Daviess, Whiteside, Henry, Knox, Warren, Henderson and Mercer counties have held clinics or told us they've received the shots and plan to host clinics soon. All of those counties have fewer people than Rock Island County.
"We know the public is frustrated and they want to get it and we want to start clinics as soon as we get it so we can protect people, that's our job and that's really what we want to do", said Trute.
This afternoon I received an e-mail from the Illinois Department of Public Health explaining they have no timeline but they guarantee the Rock Island County order was made and will arrive here.
Officials with the R.I.C.H.D. say they can begin clinics within 24 hours of receiving their shipment.
Of our Illinois counties, Rock Island has the largest population. Many smaller counties surrounding it have some of their doses and have even hosted clinics. Tonight it's unclear when the vaccine will arrive in Rock Island County and local, state and federal officials have no idea when it'll show.
"Every day we keep coming in and saying today is gonna be the day. We're gonna get it. And we keep waiting and we don't have it yet", said County Public Health Administrator, Wendy Trute. "It's frustrating. We've done all the correct paperwork and we know other counties are starting to get some too."
Today we contacted the Illinois Department of Public Health, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other Illinois county health departments in our area and none of them could explain the process behind deciding when a shipment of the shot and mist arrives.
In fact, the I.D.P.H. told us the federal government tells the drug manufacturer who should get it first. The C.D.C. told us the decision is made at the state level. Trute's asked the same question and gotten the same mixed explanations.
"I wish I could explain the order and I can't", she said, "I would love to know that answer too."
Even more frustrating is the fact many of the other county health departments have at least some of their requested order. Officials in Jo Daviess, Whiteside, Henry, Knox, Warren, Henderson and Mercer counties have held clinics or told us they've received the shots and plan to host clinics soon. All of those counties have fewer people than Rock Island County.
"We know the public is frustrated and they want to get it and we want to start clinics as soon as we get it so we can protect people, that's our job and that's really what we want to do", said Trute.
This afternoon I received an e-mail from the Illinois Department of Public Health explaining they have no timeline but they guarantee the Rock Island County order was made and will arrive here.
Officials with the R.I.C.H.D. say they can begin clinics within 24 hours of receiving their shipment.
