CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicago's public health commissioner said public library workers won't be able to jump ahead of others to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady pushed back Monday against the call to allow for public library workers to be considered frontline, essential workers and moved up the vaccine line. She told the Chicago Tribune the health statistics don’t support such a change.
“Librarians in particular...they are the lowest department for cases, honestly,” Arwady said.
Only postal workers, first responders, correctional workers, teachers, grocery store workers, and transit workers are among the latest group, Phase 1B, of those eligible to get vaccinated. She said other city workers are still waiting their turn, and that widening the pool of those considered frontline, essential workers would just make it take longer to vaccinate others already in Phase 1B, including those 65 and older.
Dr. Arwady asked that the progressive aldermen and union leaders who are calling for the change to instead continue to spread the message that the vaccine is safe and to get it when it's their turn.