Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) endorsed recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), for the newly FDA-approved COVID-19 shots for everyone over the age of six months. Federal agencies have given the green light for updated mRNA vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer, that target the currently circulating strains of the COVID-19 virus.
IDPH is closely monitoring data on COVID-19 as well as other respiratory viruses, including flu and RSV. The Federal guidance comes as data indicates an uptick in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Illinois and the Nation, with a seven percent increase Statewide.
Currently 12 Illinois Counties are at a medium level for COVID-19 hospitalizations, according to the CDC National Dashboard, meaning they exceeded ten new cases per 100,000 population in the last week. The CDC recently launched a new National Respiratory Virus Dashboard, that allows the public to view the levels of COVID-19, flu, and RSV in each State.
On Tuesday, the CDC advisory panel recommended the new COVID-19 vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer for everyone over the age of six months. The FDA has provided full approval for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for ages 12 and over. It issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the vaccines for age groups from five months to 11 years old.
These newly-approved shots are considered safe when given at the same time as other vaccines for the flu and RSV.
Studies have consistently shown that COVID-19 vaccines lower the risk of getting symptomatic COVID-19 and improve protection against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Most Americans can still get a COVID-19 vaccine for free. For people with health insurance, most plans will cover the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost. People who don’t have health insurance or with health plans that do not cover the cost can get a free vaccine from their local health centers and pharmacies.
For those who are uninsured or under-insured, the CDC this summer launched the Bridge Access Program that will cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccines this fall. The Vaccines for Children Program will cover vaccines for eligible children.
In June, ACIP recommended use of a single dose of RSV vaccine for persons 60 years of age and older. In August, ACIP also recommended a new preventive treatment for RSV for infants under eight months, a new monoclonal antibody shot. Data showed that the treatment was highly effective, reducing hospitalizations in the age group by 77 %.
For treatment, Illinoisans who experience COVID-19 symptoms can access no cost-share telehealth services through the SIU School of Medicine COVID Test to Treat services or call 217-545-5100.
Illinois has more than 200,000 courses of effective therapeutic medications, including Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, available through providers and pharmacies, that will continue to be provided free of charge until supplies run out.
Additional resources and COVID-19 data can be found at https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19.html.
The Federal government has established a website that provides an all-purpose toolkit, with information on how to obtain masks, treatment, vaccines, and testing resources for all areas of the Country at https://www.covid.gov.