Illinois’ COVID-19 vaccine recommendation causing confusion

CHICAGO (WGN) – Illinois’ public health director is urging all adults and many children to get a COVID-19 vaccination, but the policy differs from federal guidelines.

Just one day after the Illinois Department of Public Health released its vaccine guidance for cold and flu season, people are speaking out about the trouble they’ve been having getting a COVID-19 shot.

“I was really surprised to have pushback when I got to the pharmacy. It was definitely not what I was expecting,” Chicago resident Abbey Hambright said.

Earlier this month, Hambright made an appointment for her and her at-risk family to receive their flu and COVID-19 shots at Walgreens, only to be denied the latter when they arrived.

“We were told by the tech that basically it was at the discretion of the pharmacist on duty, whether they would give the vaccine to people under 65,” Hambright said.

After some pushback, Hambright said they were ultimately able to receive their COVID-19 vaccines.

“You know, had we not been [also] getting our flu vaccine, we would have just left and then we wouldn’t have gotten it at all, so it was pretty concerning,” she said.

This comes amid reports that pharmacies have been struggling to keep up with changing vaccine guidance at the state and federal level.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services made no recommendations this fall, with officials saying it was a personal choice.

To clear up confusion at local pharmacies, Illinois health officials recommended the vaccine on Tuesday for all children six months through 23 months old, all adults 18 and older, as well as at-risk groups.

The new guidance allows thousands of people who want a COVID-19 shot to get one without having to prove they’re at risk.

A Walgreens spokesperson said they received the information released Tuesday and that the COVID-19 vaccine is now available at their pharmacies in accordance with state guidance.