Rockford Doctor Shares Note About COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

A doctor at SwedishAmerican has 6 important bullet points about the COVID-19 virus within the Rockford area and the vaccines associated.

There are still a lot of questions surrounding COVID-19 and the vaccinations that have begun rolling out around the country, including northern Illinois. Uncertainty remains fluid but these points made by Dr. Renk, a pediatrician with SwedishAmerican Hospital, should answer some of the important questions as well as bring ease to skeptics of the vaccines.

First, and foremost, trust science. If you are struggling to believe what a doctor is telling you then you may encounter some big problems down the road. Medical advice isn't something to be taken lightly. With that, here are the notes shared by Dr. Renk on Facebook.

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First, he points on that he cannot provide individual medical advice. Meaning, individual questions, and concerns should be discussed with your physician.

He also confirmed COVID-19 cases in the area are trending downward. If this is the case why to get the vaccine, you might be wondering. Dr. Renk's next point provides an explanation.

Now more than ever is the time to vaccinate BEFORE new strains take hold. Until "herd immunity" is reached we can't get back to normal.

To be clear, here is what "herd immunity" means, according to Havard.edu.

Herd immunity occurs when enough people become immune to a disease to make its spread unlikely. As a result, the entire community is protected, even those who are not themselves immune. Herd immunity is usually achieved through vaccination, but it can also occur through natural infection.

By now most of us are aware COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed and many of us are impatiently awaiting our turn. The doctor says these vaccines are being distributed through local health systems and health departments. The vaccines are rolling out based on risk, beginning with 80-year-olds and older. He encourages us to be patient with the process.

Don't call us, we will call you. At least if you are a Swedish American patient, (I don't know other health systems).

SwedishAmerican is providing the Moderna vaccine at Loves Park City Hall. 8a-5p, seven days a week. Their goal is to vaccinate over 400 people per day.

It's not a perfect system. It will get better each day. Be patient. Thank you.

As a part-time Lyft and Uber driver, I qualify to register for the vaccine through Illinois' 'phase 1b", which lists public transit drivers as probably candidates. I'll provide my personal experience with the process when the time arrives.

JB Love is ½ of Q98.5's Lil Zim & JB In The Morning, weekday mornings from 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.