Cicero’s UCP Seguin Prioritizes People with Disabilities at COVID-19 Vaccination Site

Image description: A woman with brown hair, she has on a blue face mask, blue shirt and is sitting to the left of the photo in a chair looking slightly up. To her right is a man, in a white lab coat, clear face shield, white mask and gray hair. The …

Maria Lopez receives a COVID-19 vaccination at the Carr Center, at 3100 South Central Avenue in Cicero, on February 4th, 2021 (Photo by Michael Izquierdo).

By Michael Izquierdo

Last Thursday, United Cerebral Palsy Seguin of Greater Chicago (UCP Seguin) hosted a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Cicero for UCP Seguin residents with disabilities, staff members and family caregivers to receive their first shot of the Pfizer vaccine.

Most people with disabilities were considered to be in priority groups 1B and 1C of the state’s vaccine distribution guidelines, despite their high vulnerability to COVID-19. Many of UCP Seguin staff and family caregivers are also people of color, who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 as well.

“That's all the more reason for us to deal with equity issues,” said Jim Haptonstahl, Executive Vice President of UCP Seguin. “People with disabilities are already sometimes seen as third class citizens. In this case, we believe they're all first class citizens and so we want to make sure their lives are considered as high quality and worth it.”

Governor Pritzker announced that starting on February 25, phase 1B would be expanded to include people with underlying medical conditions and disabilities. However, on February 11, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle released a statement saying this would not be the case in Cook County. Disability advocates across the state have previously expressed concerns around vaccine access.

Walgreens technicians administered first doses of COVID-19 vaccinations at the Carr Center on Central Ave in Cicero, IL on February 4th, 2021. Nearly 777 people were vaccinated and people receiving vaccinations were staff, caregivers and people rece… — Walgreens technicians administered first doses of COVID-19 vaccinations at the Carr Center on Central Ave in Cicero, IL on February 4th, 2021. Nearly 777 people were vaccinated and people receiving vaccinations were staff, caregivers and people receiving services from UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago (Photo by Michael Izquierdo).

The clinic was held at the Carr Center, at 3100 South Central Avenue in Cicero, IL, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nearly 777 people received the vaccine. Half of them were staff and caregivers and the other half were the individuals they serve.

The clinic was a collaborative effort. Community members volunteered to assist the event, Walgreens technicians administered the first doses and paramedics from the Cicero Fire Department were on site.

“I can’t even talk about how emotional today is for so many of us,” said Sammy Gutierrez, Vice President of Residential Services for UCP Seguin. “Seeing our individuals and having that hope that things can get somewhat normal for them to be back out in the community where they love to be, to ensure that our staff, who are so dedicated, that they’re safe and can keep their friends safe, I mean, that’s the main goal behind this.”

UCP Seguin was able to host this vaccination event after submitting an application to the Illinois Department of Public Health and requesting to be put on a priority list with other long-term care facilities.

One person that received the vaccine was Danny Temponeras, a resident of Berwyn and employee at Seguin Works Auto Center. He was nervous to receive a vaccination; however, he was looking forward to the future.

“Why not get the vaccine?” Temponeras asked. “Then this stuff can be over with and I’ll be done with wearing a mask.”

After people received their vaccinations, they were taken to small rooms with pods of five to 10 people. They were encouraged to wait 15 to 30 minutes before they could leave in case they showed any negative reactions to the vaccine.

Gutierrez and Haptonstahl mentioned that some staff members were hesitant to receive the vaccination at first, but some have come around. The agency has educational resources readily available.

“We’re not making it mandatory because we respect how people feel, especially with their cultural views towards vaccines, but we’re hoping it changes a lot of people’s minds,” said Gutierrez.

Anastacio Montalvo receives the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, February 4th, 2021. People that received vaccinations at the center on the 4th will be able to receive their second dose on February 25th, 2021 (Photo by Michael Izquier… — Anastacio Montalvo receives the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, February 4th, 2021. People that received vaccinations at the center on the 4th will be able to receive their second dose on February 25th, 2021 (Photo by Michael Izquierdo).

The people who received their first dosage of the vaccine on Thursday, February 4 will come back to receive their second shot on February 25.

UCP Seguin has also partnered with other clinics to distribute vaccines at their other locations.

At their Oak Park office, the agency was able to vaccinate 65 people with the help of the Oak Park Health Department. The agency also scheduled a vaccination clinic in DuPage County in partnership with the Chicago Internal Medicine Practice and Research (CIMPAR).

With the impacts of the pandemic, the agency had to make adjustments to their scheduling and keep programs remote. These adjustments looked like receiving grants to buy iPads and introduce telehealth services or sending out labs and COVID tests for staff concerned they may have been exposed.

For individuals with disabilities that needed more assistance or contracted COVID-19, staff members stepped up and moved into their homes. “We had staff living in our homes anywhere from two weeks at a time to up to three months so that they could be there with the individuals.” said Gutierrez.

As vaccines start to roll out, Haptonstahl said the agency is following state regulation guidelines and gradually offering in-person services on a limited scale. The team is committed to doing their part to reduce the spread of the virus.

“We’ll do everything we can in between to maximize our level of service to everybody in the community,” said Haptonstahl.

UCP Seguin is a nonprofit agency that offers an array of services to children and adults with disabilities in the greater Chicago area. These services include residential housing in group and foster homes, employment opportunities at their own Seguin Works Auto Center and Seguin Garden and Gifts, recreational and therapeutic services, among other day program services.

Family members or caretakers of people with disabilities may qualify as health care workers under that state’s guidelines for vaccine priority. Read this guidance from the Illinois Department of Human Services for more Information: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/OneNetLibrary/27896/documents/CaregiverIDHSLetter/CaregiverIDHSLetterJanuary21002.pdf

*Editors note: This article was edited to include the announcement made by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Feb. 11.

Michael Izquierdo is a local freelance journalist and a contributing reporter for Cicero Independiente.