* Crain’s earlier this week…

As a potential patchwork of competing vaccination guidelines takes shape in the wake of the federal dismantling of longstanding immunization expertise, solidly pro-vaccine Illinois is weighing its options.

The contentious firing of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention director and resignation of several senior staff at the agency has further shaken trust in federal vaccine guidance. The shakeup followed Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s gutting of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which he replaced with new members, some of whom are antagonistic toward the COVID-19 vaccines or vaccines in general. […]

Illinois health officials had already announced they may go it alone with vaccine recommendations.

Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a Aug. 29 statement IDPH and public health agencies around the country are awaiting formal COVID-19 recommendations from ACIP, but noted the guidance would be the result of “an unscientific vaccine recommendation process” that ousted CDC leaders believe “could harm the health of Americans.”

* Gov. Pritzker issued an executive order today. Press release…

Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2025-04 launching a statewide effort to protect vaccine access during the fall respiratory virus season.

This Order establishes the Statewide Vaccine Access Initiative, led by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in partnership with multiple state agencies to ensure Illinoisans can get the vaccines they need and can rely on science-based guidance.

It also directs IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra to issue a Standing Order to allow eligible providers in pharmacy and other appropriate clinical settings to administer vaccines recommended by IDPH after consultation with its expert Immunization Advisory Committee (IAC).

The Governor’s action today ensures that Illinoisans will be able to receive the immunizations they need during the anticipated rise in seasonal respiratory illnesses later this fall. […]

The Executive Order also calls for IDPH and partner agencies to publish plain-language guidance, continue to support school-based vaccination efforts, and work with local health departments, community health centers, disability organizations, and rural providers to reach families statewide. Other measures included in the Order are designed to provide stability and support providers and the public in the context of volatile and concerning actions taken by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

This Executive Order was necessitated by federal actions, including the abrupt dismissal of top administrators from the CDC, the unilateral shift in FDA approval for some uses of COVID-19 vaccines, and the firing of all members of the independent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) board. These actions have led to the erosion of trust, caused confusion regarding vaccine guidelines, and threatened access to life-saving vaccines.

The elimination of vaccine recommendations for many children, adults, and pregnant patients was condemned by major medical organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). These reputable organizations continue to recommend broad access to COVID-19 and other vaccines.

Executive Order 2025-04 is designed to ensure that no matter what direction the federal government takes, Illinoisans will have access to seasonal and routine child and adult vaccines: protecting them from a wide range of illnesses and diseases including COVID-19, flu, RSV, polio, measles, whooping cough, and hepatitis B. […]

The IAC will next convene on Monday, Sept. 22. The IAC will incorporate all data that meets scientific standards before issuing fall respiratory vaccination recommendations. Before September 26, IDPH will use the IAC’s recommendations to provide clear public guidance to help Illinois health care providers and help residents make informed decisions about vaccination and protect against fall respiratory illnesses.

* From the order…

CONTINGENCY PLANNING AND INSURANCE COVERAGE

a.Vaccines for Children (VFC) Contingency Planning. IDPH shall develop contingency plans to maintain access for VC-eligible children if federal disruptions threaten inventory or

b. Private Insurance Patient Coverage. The Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI) shall require, through bulletin, emergency or permanent rulemaking, or other lawful means, that state-regulated health insurance issuers cover vaccines and related administration based on IDPH recommendations, without patient cost-sharing, including where such recommendations extend beyond current ACIP schedules, to the maximum extent permitted by law.

c. Recommendations for Continued Vaccine Access. State agencies participating in the Statewide Vaccine Access Initiative shall make recommendations to the Governor within 15 days of how the State can act to ensure continued access to coverage and administration of vaccines.

* Related…

* Politico | RFK Jr.’s vaccine crackdown sparks a rebellion among blue-state governors: JB Pritzker is exploring ways to stockpile Covid shots in Illinois. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order protecting vaccine access in New York. Maura Healey is requiring insurers in Massachusetts cover the costs of injections recommended by her health department, regardless of federal guidelines.

* Sun-Times | COVID-19 vaccines arrive at Chicago pharmacies as pediatricians wait for doses, guidance: Doctors and medical experts say Illinois will likely issue more expansive recommendations that will support vaccinations for more people than the FDA’s limited recommendations. That could mean authorizing pharmacists to administer vaccines off-label, as they do in other states. Doctors already are authorized to give vaccines off-label.

* WaPo | Trump officials to link covid shots to child deaths, alarming career scientists: The plan has alarmed some career scientists who say coronavirus vaccines have been extensively studied, including in children, and that dangers of the virus itself are being underplayed. CDC staff in June presented data to the same vaccine committee showing that at least 25 children died who had covid-associated hospitalizations since July 2023 and that number was likely an undercount. Of the 16 old enough for vaccination, none was up-to-date on vaccines.

* OPB | CVS reverses course, won’t give COVID vaccines to Oregonians without prescriptions: CVS Pharmacy spokesperson Amy Thibault told the Capital Chronicle on Friday that the company was offering the vaccine in the state, while acknowledging the potential for individual appointment cancellations at its pharmacies. The company has been promoting access without a prescription in the state as recently as last week, when the democratic governors of Oregon, Washington and California announced a “West Coast Health Alliance” aimed at safeguarding access to vaccines. The state Board of Pharmacy on Friday said it would have more clarity for vaccine access rules after the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meets on Sept. 18-19. That’s the first meeting since the FDA issued more restrictive annual guidance in August which limited the vaccine to people aged 65 or older or those with an underlying health condition that would risk severe illness.