Illinois committee takes no action on COVID-19 vaccines for kids as uptake wanes

(The Heart Sq.) – When the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee referred to as a uncommon assembly Thursday, some had been involved a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for varsity youngsters was a risk.

In response to the Illinois Division of Public Well being, 64% of youngsters ages 12 to 17 have obtained two doses of the vaccine and 39% of youngsters ages 5 to 11 obtained each doses.

However vaccinations have waned, with 22% of youngsters ages 12 to 17 getting a monovalent booster shot, and solely 7% of youngsters ages 5 to 11 getting a booster. The numbers are even decrease for the second bivalent booster.

Throughout the public discussion board, a mom of two faculty youngsters named Lisa mentioned she is a trainer, however would home-school her youngsters if there was a vaccine mandate.

“I’m very involved about the potential for mandating COVID vaccines for youngsters since they don’t seem to be at excessive threat of extreme problems from it, and at this level within the pandemic, we all know it doesn’t cease transmission,” she mentioned.

A display screen shot of statistics throughout the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee assembly Dec. 22, 2022

A display screen shot of statistics throughout the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee assembly Dec. 22, 2022

Illinois Division of Public Well being Director Sameer Vohra mentioned presently, no mandates are deliberate.

“I need to assert right here and issues that the governor has shared as nicely is that there aren’t any plans to replace the vaccine requirement for school-aged youngsters,” Vohra mentioned.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has mentioned that it will be as much as the Normal Meeting to implement a vaccine mandate for varsity youngsters.

Illinois regulation says immunizations shall be required to go to a Okay-12 faculty in accordance with guidelines created by the Illinois Division of Public Well being. It’s unclear in the event that they plan to observe the CDC’s suggestions made within the fall.

In a latest Pew Analysis Heart ballot, 35% of fogeys now consider dad and mom ought to be capable of resolve to not vaccinate their youngsters, up from 23% in 2019.