Springfield, IL – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2025-04 on Monday, launching a statewide effort to safeguard vaccine access ahead of the fall respiratory virus season.
According to the Governor’s office, the order creates the Statewide Vaccine Access Initiative, led by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in partnership with multiple state agencies. The initiative is designed to ensure Illinoisans can receive vaccinations for COVID-19, flu, RSV, and other preventable diseases amid uncertainty at the federal level.
The order directs IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra to issue a Standing Order that allows pharmacies and clinical providers to administer recommended vaccines. The guidance will be based on recommendations from the state’s Immunization Advisory Committee, which includes infectious disease and public health experts. The committee is scheduled to reconvene Sept. 22 and issue updated recommendations by Sept. 26.
Pritzker said the move ensures “no family in Illinois is left wondering if they can protect themselves against preventable serious illness,” citing recent federal actions that eliminated vaccine recommendations for children, adults, and pregnant patients. Those changes drew criticism from medical groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
The executive order also calls for expanded school-based vaccination programs, plain-language public guidance, and collaboration with local health departments and rural providers. IDPH encourages residents, especially seniors and people with chronic conditions, to consult their health care providers and stay current on immunizations.
Health leaders across the state praised the action as a step toward protecting families and ensuring equitable vaccine access.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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