Illinois to use own childhood vaccine guidelines, rejects new CDC schedule

Decatur, Ill (WAND) – The CDC has changed federal guidelines which said that young children no longer need 18 vaccinations but only 11.

It’s a change the state will not follow, sticking with the old guidelines.

“The childhood vaccination schedule will remain as recommended on what it was before,” Dr. Sameer Vohra, IDPH Director, told WAND News. “Ensuring that IDPH recommendations meet the standards of credibility, transparency and up-to-date scientific evidence.”

The CDC move comes at the height of flu season, which is surging across the nation. Cases of flu have been on the rise in Illinois, with several hospitals in Central Illinois implementing visitor restrictions due to the large number of respiratory illnesses.

Illinois reported the first influenza death in a child this week for this flu season. During the 2024/2025 season, Illinois reported 12 pediatric deaths from influenza, six from RSV and three from COVID-19.

So far this flu season, 21.91% of Illinois residents have received a flu shot.

Illinois football transfer portal tracker: who is joining & leaving the Illini

I-55 reopens following crash that killed 2 in Springfield

Christmas trees find new life as fish habitats in Lake Decatur