Fall Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Flu vaccination is recommended for all people ages 6 months and older. 

RSV immunization is recommended for:

• All pregnant people during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy
• All infants under the age of 8 months without maternal RSV vaccine protection entering their first RSV season
• Children ages 8 months through 19 months who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease
• Adults ages 50 years through 74 years at increased risk of severe RSV disease
• All adults ages 75 years and older

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for:

• All children ages 6 months through 23 months
• Children ages 2 years through 17 years who have at least one underlying risk factor, who have weakened immune systems, who have never been previously vaccinated for COVID-19, who live in congregate settings or live in households with those at risk for severe COVID-19
• Children ages 2 years through 17 years whose parents/guardians want them to get a COVID-19 vaccine
• All pregnant people and those who are planning pregnancy, those who are postpartum (after pregnancy), or during lactation
• All adults 18 years and older

The standing order signed by IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra on September 23, 2025, aims to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccines in settings like pharmacies by allowing health care professionals who may need a physician’s order to administer vaccines, such as pharmacists and nurses, to give COVID-19 vaccines according to IDPH guidelines. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have accessed COVID-19 vaccines through community settings like pharmacies and local health departments, and the standing order helps maintain continuity of access in these settings.

It protects access to life-saving immunizations amid unprecedented uncertainty and actions at the federal level. The Order establishes a Statewide Vaccine Access Initiative, led by the Illinois Department of Public Health in partnership with multiple state agencies, to ensure Illinoisans can get the vaccines they need and the science-based guidance they deserve. It requires the IDPH Director to issue a Standing Order to allow eligible providers in pharmacy and other appropriate clinical settings to administer vaccines recommended by IDPH. The standing order was released on September 23, 2025.

Immunizations are among the most important and effective public health tools in our lifetimes. The immunizations that are in use today – from childhood vaccinations against diseases like measles and polio, to seasonal shots to protect against influenza and COVID-19 – have been shown through decades of research to be safe and effective. They protect the most vulnerable among us by helping to slow or prevent the spread of certain diseases, and reduce individuals’ risk of contracting serious illness.

Since 1964, Illinois and other states have relied on the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to set vaccination policy and keep residents safe from preventable diseases. Unfortunately, in recent months the credibility and transparency of this Committee has been altered by the current federal administration through a series of decisions, which have included the abrupt dismissal of CDC leaders and the membership of ACIP.

These moves have raised serious questions about the quality, reliability, and strength of the scientific evidence driving the guidance coming from the current ACIP. To ensure Illinoisians receive transparent and science-based information, Illinois is now taking steps to bolster our own statewide process to give Illinois residents information about, and access to, the critical immunizations that can prevent serious illness, keep people healthy, and save lives.

Federal insurance programs, fully-insured plans subject to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and state-regulated insurance programs will cover COVID-19 shots. In recognition of the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in preventing serious illness, most private insurers have also indicated their intention to continue covering the COVID-19 vaccine.

For routine, non-seasonal vaccines, IDPH recommends that health care providers continue to follow the CDC immunization schedules issued as of August 7, 2025, which are based on years of science, research, data and best practices.

If your local pharmacy does not have COVID-19 vaccines available, you can check several other options including your Local Health Department (LHD), community health centers, clinics, and other authorized vaccination sites. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) maintains a vaccine locator tool on its website, to assist families with locating vaccines for children eligible for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program and for uninsured and underinsured adults.

These recommendations are not mandates. They represent the best scientific-backed guidance to help Illinoisans, in consultation with their providers, make the best choices to protect themselves and their families from preventable illnesses.

An executive order issued at the state level by a governor requires state agencies to take certain actions to address a problem. A standing order from a medical doctor is an order (like a prescription for a medication or shot) that is not linked to a specific patient by name. The COVID-19 statewide standing order issued in Illinois on September 23, 2025 by Dr. Sameer Vohra allows health care professionals to administer the COVID-19 vaccination following IDPH guidelines but does not require or necessitate them to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. Health care facilities and practices may have their own policies they follow.

Yes. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program and the Adult Immunization Program (AIP) are two federally funded, state-administered vaccine programs within Illinois. IDPH runs the program for all areas outside of Chicago. The City of Chicago’s program is administered by the Chicago Department of Public Health. The VFC program provides vaccines to eligible children ages 18 and younger, including children on Medicaid or children without health insurance. The AIP provides vaccines to adults who are uninsured or underinsured. You may locate VFC and AIP providers in your area using IDPH’s Vaccine Locator Dashboard. To ensure the program provides COVID-19 vaccination for the age group you are seeking, please call ahead to confirm availability.

In addition to the federally funded vaccines available through VFC and AIP, Illinois is working to procure additional COVID-19 vaccine for residents to access at local health departments and mobile clinics. More information will be provided about access to these vaccines in late October.

Individuals residing out of state desiring to get a COVID-19 vaccine should check their health insurance provider and with the Illinois location where they would like to receive the vaccine before making a vaccine appointment. Pharmacies, clinics, and local health departments in Illinois have their own policies about providing care to out-of-state residents, including vaccines. The policies regarding coverage for out of state care also vary by insurance company.

Illinois typically sees a peak in flu, RSV, and COVID-19 in December with flu often having a second peak in February. It is recommended to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines before the end of October to assure full immunity, which takes about 14 days after vaccination. But even if you are not able to get a vaccine by the end of October, you should still get the vaccine at any point during the respiratory virus season.

For the RSV vaccine, eligible adults ages 50 years and older who have not previously received the RSV vaccine may get the vaccine at any time of year, but it may be most beneficial if it is received in late summer or early fall.

The RSV vaccine is administered to pregnant people September through January during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy. To ensure protection of the infant, the vaccine needs to be received 14 days or more before delivery.

For infants eligible for the RSV immunization, if they are born during October through March, it is recommended to get the RSV immunization during the birth hospitalization, or at least within the first week of life. Eligible infants who are not able to get the RSV immunization at birth should get it as soon as possible during the RSV season (October through March).

Yes. Last respiratory virus season (2024-2025), immunizations reduced the risk of flu hospitalizations by up to 78% in children, cut COVID-19 hospitalizations among seniors by nearly half, and reduced infant hospitalizations for RSV by almost 90%.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), other states and other leading medical specialty societies specifically recommend that children under 2 years, who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, get it, even if they have no risk factors. According to CDC data from July 2024-May 2025, over 50% of children in this age group who were hospitalized with COVID-19 had no underlying risk factors.

For children 2-17 years old, IDPH, AAP, other states and other leading medical specialty societies recommend the COVID-19 vaccine if they have medical or household risk factors or have never been vaccinated against COVID-19. Illinois and AAP guidance both state that parents of children in this age group who want a COVID-19 vaccine for their child without risk factors should get that child a vaccine.

Illinois’ approach emphasizes that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and important for the health of your family and the general public.

Last Updated: 10/7/2025