Illinois recommends COVID vaccines for all adults amid CDC changes

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has issued new vaccine recommendations for the 2025 fall season, advising COVID-19 vaccination for all adults, children aged 6 to 23 months, and children 2 through 17 with underlying health risks or living with high-risk individuals. This guidance contradicts the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, which now focus on COVID-19 vaccination primarily for those 65 and older and emphasize individual decision-making rather than universal mandates. Governor JB Pritzker directed IDPH to develop independent vaccine guidelines due to concerns over the CDC's approach, which Illinois officials say lacks rigorous scientific review. Alongside COVID-19 vaccines, Illinois also recommends flu shots for everyone over six months old and RSV immunization for certain high-risk groups. Similarly, Wyoming's Casper-Natrona County Health Department is offering COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 6 months to 11 years, despite federal funding cuts, with vaccination decisions reflecting ongoing uncertainty and differing expert stances on pediatric COVID-19 vaccinations. These state-level actions highlight growing divergence from federal vaccine policies amid the evolving landscape of COVID-19 public health guidance.