Introduction to Executive Order
Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed an executive order that aims to protect COVID-19 vaccine access in Illinois amid increased barriers to the shots nationwide under federal Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Background and Motivation
With COVID cases slightly on the rise in Chicago ahead of the seasonal uptick in respiratory illness, Pritzker’s order establishes a Statewide Vaccine Access Initiative and directs Illinois Public Health Director Sameer Vohra to authorize pharmacies and other providers to administer the vaccines that have been proven to prevent severe cases. The order also encompasses other routine vaccinations including flu, RSV, polio, measles and more.
Federal Context and Restrictions
Under Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, the federal Food and Drug Administration has approved the latest version of the COVID vaccine, but only for people 65 or older or who have unspecified high-risk medical conditions. Soon, with consultation from the state’s Immunization Advisory Committee, Pritzker’s order could make it easier for people to get the shot outside the FDA’s limited recommendations.
Statement from Gov. Pritzker
“This is about making sure no family in Illinois is left wondering if they can protect themselves against preventable serious illness,” Pritzker said in a statement. “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.”
Provisions of the Executive Order
The order calls for state health officials to publish “plain-language guidance” on the shots and bolster school-based vaccine campaigns with local health departments, community health centers and other locations. It also requires state-regulated health insurance plans to cover the shots. Pritzker’s office said upheaval at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has “led to the erosion of trust, caused confusion regarding vaccine guidelines, and threatened access to life-saving vaccines.”
Impact on Vaccine Access
The Kennedy-led agency went against most major medical organizations in eliminating vaccine recommendations for many children, adults and pregnant patients. The state’s Immunization Advisory Committee will meet Sept. 22 to issue its own recommendations on the vaccine by Sept. 26, opening the door for Vohra to authorize vaccinations at pharmacies and other providers.
Reaction from Health Experts
“With confusing and conflicting guidelines from the federal government, the Executive Order ensures Illinois residents have the credible, transparent, and science-based guidance they need to make vaccine decisions for themselves and their family,” Vohra said in a statement. Dr. Larry Kociolek, professor of pediatrics at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, said the governor’s order will establish a state-endorsed standard of care that will likely make it more favorable for doctors to be able to prescribe the COVID-19 vaccine to more people.
Insurance Coverage and Access
It remains unclear what private health insurers will decide to do. Typically, insurers decide what they will cover based on recommendations issued by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, said Kociolek, who also works at Lurie Children’s Hospital. That committee is expected to meet next week and many say their recommendations will likely mirror the FDA’s restrictions. But insurers could decide instead to follow the state’s recommendations and cover the vaccines, Kociolek said, adding it was also significant that Pritzker pledged resources to provide vaccines for residents.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Gov. Pritzker’s executive order is a significant step towards protecting COVID-19 vaccine access in Illinois. By establishing a Statewide Vaccine Access Initiative and directing state health officials to publish plain-language guidance on the shots, the order aims to make it easier for people to get the vaccine. The order also encompasses other routine vaccinations, including flu, RSV, polio, measles, and more. With the state’s Immunization Advisory Committee set to meet soon, Illinois residents can expect clearer guidance on vaccine access in the coming weeks.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of Gov. Pritzker’s executive order?
A: The purpose of the executive order is to protect COVID-19 vaccine access in Illinois amid increased barriers to the shots nationwide.
Q: What vaccinations are included in the executive order?
A: The order encompasses COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as other routine vaccinations including flu, RSV, polio, measles, and more.
Q: How will the executive order affect insurance coverage for vaccines?
A: The order requires state-regulated health insurance plans to cover the shots, but it remains unclear what private health insurers will decide to do.
Q: What is the role of the state’s Immunization Advisory Committee in the executive order?
A: The committee will meet to issue its own recommendations on the vaccine, which will guide the state’s vaccine access policies.
Q: How will the executive order impact access to vaccines for Illinois residents?
A: The order aims to make it easier for people to get the vaccine by establishing a Statewide Vaccine Access Initiative, publishing plain-language guidance on the shots, and requiring state-regulated health insurance plans to cover the shots.
