By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Health Leaders in McLean County say they are running into a new challenge with Pfizer and Moderna vaccines – convincing people to get both doses.

Public Health Administrator Jessica McKnight says 40% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated.

But she says they are seeing an unusual amount of cancellations for second-dose appointments.

Public Affairs Director Marianne Manko says for some people, the scheduling for a second appointment is just inconvenient.

Others, though, are worried the second shot will lead to side effects.

“If people have any kind of a reaction – and you usually do have reactions to vaccines, that’s how vaccines work – it does tend to scare them off a little bit about that second one,” Manko said. “We want people to know it’s completely normal to have a reaction to a vaccine.”

Manko says the department has a call center dedicated to following up on cancelled appointments.

She says operators are taking note of each reason and will use the findings to adjust vaccine outreach.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected].