Changes to COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Following FDA regulatory action, CDC has taken steps to simplify COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and allow more flexibility for people at higher risk who want the option of added protection from additional COVID-19 vaccine doses.
The changes include:
- CDC’s new recommendations allow an additional updated (bivalent) vaccine dose for adults ages 65 years and older and additional doses for people who are immunocompromised. This allows more flexibility for healthcare providers to administer additional doses to immunocompromised patients as needed.
- Monovalent (original) mRNA COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be recommended for use in the United States.
- CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older receive an updated (bivalent) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they previously completed their (monovalent) primary series.
- Individuals ages 6 years and older who have already received an updated mRNA vaccine do not need to take any action unless they are 65 years or older or immunocompromised.
- For young children, multiple doses continue to be recommended and will vary by age, vaccine, and which vaccines were previously received.
- To view the IDPH COVID-19 Vaccine Update Announcement, click here.
- For more information on what vaccine is recommended for you, please visit the fact sheet here.
The Edgar County Public Health Department offers Moderna bivalent vaccine for ages 6 months and older. Walk-ins are welcome but calling ahead at 217-465-2212 is highly recommended to ensure a nurse is available.
“IDPH has partnered with the Rockefeller Foundation for Project Access COVID Tests (ACT). Project ACT is aimed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 through providing households with free antigen tests that provide results in just minutes. All tests can be easily administered and interpreted in the comfort of your own home.”
Steps to Order your FREE COVID-19 Test kits (1 kit= 5 tests) through Project Act:
1. Click on this link: Project ACT | Home (accesscovidtests.org)
2. Click on the search bar where it says “Enter Zip Code”
3. Type in Zip Code
4. If your zip code is eligible, a box will pop up saying “Congratulations! (Insert Zip Code) is eligible for free, rapid, at-home COVID-19 test kits. Sign up to get your tests through the mail:”
5. Click the blue button that says “Send me my tests.”
6. It will take you to a screen that says “Order your Test Kit” at the top. Fill in all the boxes with your information, then click next.
7. It will take you to a screen with your information populated. Make sure that it is correct, then click “Place your order” at the bottom of the screen.
8. Wait to receive your free test kit in the mail!
(Certain communities are eligible to order more than once and perhaps even on a monthly basis).
Source: Project ACT Eligible ZIP Codes (illinois.gov)
TESTING POSITIVE OR WAITING FOR TEST RESULTS
- If you have tested positive for COVID-19, or are experiencing symptoms and are waiting to get tested or waiting on test results, visit the CDC’s Quarantine and Isolation page for guidance.
- If you have been exposed to COVID-19 visit this link from CDC, What To Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH COVID-19
COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION:
Community Transmission refers to how much SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is spreading in a community. Community Transmission is the metric that is currently recommended to guide infection control practices in healthcare settings. This is to allow for earlier intervention before there is a strain on the healthcare system, and so that people getting care in these settings are better protected.
VS.
COMMUNITY LEVEL:
The Community Transmission metric is different from the COVID-19 Community Level metric, which is to be used by the public in non-healthcare settings. COVID-19 Community Levels are ways to measure the effects of COVID-19 in terms of hospitalizations and stress on the healthcare system while taking the community transmission level into account.
STAY UP TO DATE ON YOUR VACCINATIONS
Visit this link Stay Up to Date With Your COVID-19 Vaccinations from the CDC to learn when you should receive your COVID-19 vaccinations.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID-19
Click this link Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 provided by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to read about frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19.
CDC National Dashboard
Click here to view the CDC national dashboard.
For general questions about COVID-19 and Illinois’ response and guidance, call 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov
Last Updated: (4/25/2023)