URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Some medical experts are questioning new CDC recommendations concerning vaccines, and it’s adding confusion for people who may want to get vaccinated. In Illinois, there’s a different set of guidelines.

Monday, the CDC released new guidelines for COVID and chicken pox shots. Now, some people across the country may have to take additional steps to get care.

Health officials said these steps by the CDC won’t necessarily apply in the state because Illinois has their own guidelines through IDPH. But all the different recommendations seem to be adding to the confusion.

“I work as a teaching assistant, and every single time that one of my students get sick, all of a sudden, everybody in my class gets sick, and I have a million things to do,” U of I graduate student Andrea Rodriguez said.
When it comes to vaccines, she believes easy access is helpful for staying healthy. But the U of I McKinley Health Center’s Executive Director, Awais Vaid, said the CDC guidelines for COVID vaccines may make it tougher for some to get those shots.
“By making this a national recommendation where, you know, only if you have certain underlying health conditions, or if it is approved by your physician, only then you should get one, this does create an additional step,” Vaid said. 

Vaid said Illinois is keeping its guidelines, which are separate from the CDC’s. Those wanting a COVID vaccine can still go to a local pharmacy.

“So in this case, because the state has made the recommendation, it makes it easier for the insurance companies than to cover vaccines like Covid,” he said.
The CDC is also recommending the chicken pox vaccine be separate from a combined vaccine including protection from measles, mumps and rubella. The CDC said it carries a slightly higher risk of seizures for some toddlers — but that’s rare and almost never has lasting effects.
“We are always looking at ways to make it easier, make it more cost effective, make it less painful,” Vaid said.
Rodriguez, who got her flu vaccine at one of the McKinley Health Center’s pop-up clinics, said regardless of recommendations she will get the shots she needs.

“At least for me, it doesn’t matter if I need to go to a doctor, I’ll do it,” Rodriguez said.

CDC officials said they made the changes, in part, to encourage individual-based decision-making. That includes talking with your doctor to learn about the benefits and risks of vaccines.