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* 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…
* 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.
posted by Isabel Miller
Friday, Sep 12, 25 @ 12:25 pm
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Strong, sensible, science-backed action. thank you and well done J.B!
Not a mere standing order as some states have done.
This does not look like a rush job or a cheap press pop. I am impressed.
Comment by Carpe GM Friday, Sep 12, 25 @ 12:36 pm
What ever happened to the republicans saying “my body, my choice”? Don’t tell me they didn’t really mean it??
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Sep 12, 25 @ 12:59 pm
Pritzker racking up wins lately.
Comment by ChicagoVinny Friday, Sep 12, 25 @ 1:02 pm
Asked at Walmart this week if they’d have Covid vaccines this fall.
The pharmacy tech said, “We will. We’re waiting for approval.”
Not sure whose approval that would be, or if that’s just the standard script. She said they’d be covered by Medicare. We’re seniors, so we’re in the ‘at risk’ category.
I’m glad JB’s proactive on this.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, Sep 12, 25 @ 1:19 pm
eh.
I’m looking forward to the incoming metadata analyses on all things related to declining health in this country, including vaccines.
Those results will be new info because a lot of the questions being asked were taboo before the new crew.
Pritzker should have waited.
Actions like this are hints, to me, that he’s not getting the best advice.
There’s room for improved policies, guidelines, and legislation, especially regarding decades old liability immunity and the missing safety reports to Congress regarding vaccines (beginning soon due to a lawsuit).
Comment by 40,000 ft Friday, Sep 12, 25 @ 1:20 pm
This will save lives, especially children and seniors.
I really worry about vulnerable people living in areas of the country where CDC guidance on infectious disease seems to have been supplanted by a new policy of “Let ‘er rip.”
Comment by Crispy Friday, Sep 12, 25 @ 1:26 pm
Streator - try the local Kroger pharmacy.
Last Tuesday, Sheba and I went to our local Kroger pharmacy and got our flu and Covid shots.
Comment by Huh? Friday, Sep 12, 25 @ 1:51 pm
@40,000 ft,
“Pritzker should have waited.
Actions like this are hints, to me, that he’s not getting the best advice.”
Waited for what? Whose advice should he wait for? Either we trust the medical community or Kennedy and his cronies who use pseudoscience and conspiracy theories to guide their decisions.
“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.”
and
“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.”
Comment by Steve Polite Friday, Sep 12, 25 @ 1:58 pm
Steve, I don’t trust the medical community. I haven’t for decades and I have my reasons.
It’s silly to frame this as an “all or nothing” issue. That might be politics or religion, but it’s not a reasonable concept in scientific research.
It will be important to have an open mind as the new team reviews, publishes, highlights long hidden science.
Comment by 40,000 ft Friday, Sep 12, 25 @ 2:31 pm
==Those results will be new info because a lot of the questions being asked were taboo before the new crew.==
Do you know why those questions weren’t being asked within the CDC and HHS before? Because it was being staffed by apolitical medical professionals instead of opportunist crackpots.
I’m so tired of this. Your personal freedom to not vaccinate yourself or your kids hurts me and my kids. That is how herd immunity works, and there used to be a far more universal understanding of doing good for and by your neighbor before some scuzzbags realized they could market selfishness for attention and profit.
Comment by Roadrager Friday, Sep 12, 25 @ 2:54 pm
By the way, I’m getting the COVID and flu vaccines next week at my local Osco, where I was able to schedule online without a hiccup. The nearby Walgreens has COVID shots ready to go, as well. If you can, get them next week, because Kennedy and his Wellness Goons are meeting on the 18th and who knows what we’re in for after that.
Comment by Roadrager Friday, Sep 12, 25 @ 2:56 pm
=It will be important to have an open mind as the new team reviews, publishes, highlights long hidden science.=
Thanks for the advice but I think I’m good following the advice of the established medical community. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t ask questions or seek new information. But Robert F. Kennedy has firmly established that he has no credibility or expertise.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Sep 12, 25 @ 3:15 pm
===Those results will be new info because a lot of the questions being asked were taboo before the new crew.
That’s false. Vaccines are some of the most tested medical interventions ever and suggesting that it was taboo to do those tests ignores the thousands of studies demonstrating safety. Because someone on a web site says there aren’t studies of each one ignores the vast literature of scientific studies.
Comment by ArchPundit Friday, Sep 12, 25 @ 3:15 pm
Since you don’t trust the medical community please do not turn to it in an emergency. Heal thyself and good luck with that.
Comment by Big Dipper Friday, Sep 12, 25 @ 3:26 pm