Illinois health leaders to create state COVID vaccine policy as federal guidance shifts

CHICAGO (WLS) -- In the wake of sweeping changes at the federal level, Illinois health officials are now forging their own path when it comes to COVID-19 vaccination guidance.

Illinois and other states are going their own way in making vaccine policies this fall. The moves are in response to recent changes vaccine guidance at the federal level.

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Previously, COVID-19 vaccines were recommended for anyone age 6 months and up. Now, people younger than 65 have to meet certain criteria. The director of the Illinois Department of Public Health criticized the changes, saying they bring disarray and distrust to the public health system.

Dr. Sameer Vahora says Illinois residents and health care providers should be assured that in Illinois, we will follow the science and data to provide the most credible, informed recommendations.

Waiting for that guidance is Donna Dynek, the operations manager at Rosens Moreseview Pharmacy in Rogers Park.

"It's a lot of confusion. A lot of confusion," Dynek said.

Dynek says Rosens pharmacy visits assisted living facilities and administers COVID vaccines.

Now, she is concerned that not everyone will be eligible.

"The guidelines need to be cut in stone, and they need to be clear for the public, clear for the medical professionals just so we know who qualifies," Dynek said.

Dr. Ravi Jhaveri is the head of infectious diseases at Lurie Children's Hospital.

He has sat in on meetings with the IDPH and other medical experts who are reviewing data on variant trends, vaccine efficacy, and population immunity levels to craft recommendations for the fall and winter seasons.

Those recommendations are expected to be released later this month.

"Certainly, my hope is that providers, pharmacists and insurance will think more broadly about who can qualify and err on the side of being more inclusive," Jhaveri said.

Jhaveri says that if Illinois does implement more inclusive vaccine guidelines, there could be an influx of people from other states with restrictive guidelines seeking those treatments.