CHICAGO — The Chicago Department of Health is encouraging Chicagoans to get vaccinated as respiratory virus season kicks up — and that includes the latest COVID-19 shot.
The city health department has endorsed the vaccination standards set by the Illinois Department of Health for this year’s flu season, recommending everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated against flu, the vast majority of people get vaccinated against COVID-19 and some people get RSV immunization.
They mark a rare break with federal recommendations, as vaccine advisers under federal Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have not recommended the COVID-19 vaccine for anyone — but didn’t recommend against it, instead saying that “individual decision-making” should determine if someone gets the shot.
Illinois offering its own standards was “necessary because the federal government is no longer following its rigorous scientific review processes for vaccine-related decisions,” according to the state health department. The guidelines come out of a “detailed review” by the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee of state and federal data, guidance documents and other recommendations, according to a press release from the city’s health department.
Respiratory season, which occurs between November and March, encompasses the time of the year when most respiratory infections happen. These infections can include the common cold, flu, COVID-19, pneumonia and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
The Health Department will provide free updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines for Chicago residents throughout the season at its immunization clinics. Click here for clinic locations and hours and to register; walk-ins are accepted, but registration is encouraged.
Starting Monday, COVID-19 vaccines are available at the city clinics for people 12 years and older. COVID-19 vaccines are not yet available for children younger than 12.
The vaccination guidelines:
- Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
- COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for
- All children 6 months-23 months.
- All adults 18 and older.
- Children ages 2-17 who have at least one underlying risk factor, never been vaccinated for COVID-19 before or live with at-risk individuals.
- Children ages 2-17 whose parents/guardians want them to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
- All pregnant people, those who are planning to get pregnant, those postpartum and those lactating.
- RSV vaccines are recommended for
- All adults 75 years and older.
- All pregnant people during 32-36 weeks of pregnancy.
- All infants up to 8 months old entering their first RSV season whose mother did not get an RSV vaccine during pregnancy.
- Children 8 months-19 months who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease.
- Adults ages 50-74 who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease
More information about vaccination guidelines can be found here and on the Illinois Department of Health website.
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