Health
Pritzker Signs Order to Get Around US Limits on COVID-19 Vaccine
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Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order Friday to authorize medical professionals to provide updated COVID-19 vaccines to nearly anyone who wants it in Illinois, despite an effort by federal officials to limit access to the life-saving shot.
Federal health officials approved updated versions of the COVID-19 vaccine, but authorized them only for people 65 and older or for younger people with an underlying medical condition that makes the respiratory virus more dangerous.
Pritzker acted because of the “volatile and concerning actions taken by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.,” according to a statement from the governor’s office. “These actions have led to the erosion of trust, caused confusion regarding vaccine guidelines and threatened access to life-saving vaccines.”
“This is about making sure no family in Illinois is left wondering if they can protect themselves against preventable serious illness,” Pritzker said. “When the federal government abandons its responsibility, Illinois will step up. We will follow the science, listen to medical experts, and do everything in our power to enable families to receive the care they need.”
The governor directed Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra to permit pharmacists and other medical personnel to administer vaccines recommended by state officials.
The state’s Immunization Advisory Committee will meet Sept. 22 to consider “all data that meets scientific standards before issuing fall respiratory vaccination recommendations,” according to the governor’s office. Those guidelines will be issued no later than Sept. 26, officials said.
“Vaccines are safe, effective, and essential to saving lives,” Vohra said, blasting “confusing and conflicting guidelines” released by federal officials.
The order also requires insurance companies to cover the administration of vaccines in keeping with state guidelines.
A number of states led by Democrats, including California, Oregon, Washington, New York and Minnesota, issued rules designed to expand access to the COVID-19 vaccine regardless of federal policy.
Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]
