already noticed the COVID-19 vaccine is tougher to get this year.

That's because the Food and Drug Administration tighten guidelines for who's eligible.

The agency now says those who qualify to receive the updated shot must be 65 years or older or anyone with an underlying health condition.

But medical organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and even some states.

Our breaking from federal guidelines.

Joining us now, our Doctor, Samir Vohra director of the Illinois Department of Public Health Dr, Kiran, Joshi the chief operating officer for the Cook County Department of Public Health and Dr. Sam Bowie, the commissioner for the Chicago Department of Public Health.

Thanks to all 3 of you for joining us.

Dr for I want to come to you first, please.

Could you explain how these changes to the COVID-19 federal guidelines?

What are they and how they're different from previous years?

>> Well, in previous there was by the FDA, the approval to provide a universal recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine.

And by that, I mean that everybody was recommended for everybody 6 months and older to receive a shot and then followed by the FDA approval of the advisory committee on Immunization practices from the CDC recommended that 6 months and older to get that COVID-19 shot.

Now the limited FDA approval that you just mentioned now changes that to say that for adults, those hard individuals 65 and older, they are approved by the FDA to get shot and then for those that are 6 months to 64 years, you need a particular risk factor limiting the pool of approval from our Federal Drug Administration around.

What are the practices around COVID-19 vaccines?

>> And what's your reaction to this change?

>> I think part of it is that it's not just this move by the Food and Drug Administration in isolation.

It's a series of moves that have happened.

By Federal Health and Human Services.

Secretary Kennedy that have brought great uncertainty and have question the trust of a process that was universally trusted by local health departments and health care providers by removing members of the advisory Committee on immunization practices by seeding doubts about the effectiveness of vaccines.

We know that vaccines save lives.

It's another place where it is very hard to have that faith that our federal government is using credible, transparent evidence, informed and science-based practices to make decisions on what is in the best interest of residents throughout the country.

>> Dre, we know that some pharmacies have already begun giving the latest COVID-19 vaccine.

But what have you been hearing from the community about whether they're finding difficulty in getting the latest vaccine?

>> Yes, in Chicago, we've heard that some people are being turned away from promises who once the vaccines because the pharmacies a hesitant to prescribe what we see now ease off label.

If you don't fall into the category that has been identified by the FDA and this is the challenge that we have.

We want everyone to be able to get this vaccine once it.

Now, if the FDA says vaccine already approved for 65 plus, or if you have a condition, then means that Thomas's bill no longer have the freedom to prescribe this will people, even they want.

And this is a China.

And as health care providers has public health professionals, he's in life-saving intervention, evasive, preventative intervention that's available.

We want that to be available for everyone who needs it and wants it.

>> Dr Joshi.

What what do you say to those who are confused and frustrated?

They want to get the COVID-19 vaccine this fall, but they're hearing all of conflicting information.

>> I would that first and foremost, all 3 of our agencies are working closely together to ensure that there's clear information, trusted information and access to vaccines to all who may benefit.

We all believe that science science should drive public health our message here is very simple.

Vaccines are safe.

They're effective and they're the best tool we have to prevent severe illness and hospitalization for COVID specifically getting the vaccine, even though the pandemic has waned and over, getting the vaccine is far safer than getting the virus.

And most people putting aside the FDA guidelines, most people will benefit from staying up to date, particularly those at highest risk.

And that includes older adults, people with chronic conditions and those with weaker immune systems.

>> That said, how does one get it?

Where do you recommend they look?

>> So I think it's important to talk to a healthcare professional that could be your physician of pharmacist or your local health department about staying up to date again, if you're at higher risk in particular, don't delay.

We are doing our part to ensure that anyone who wants to get access is going to have access were planning a number of free.

Vaccination clinics over the next 3 to 4 months up the 5, Cook County health community clinics in suburban Cook County.

>> Ok, good to Doctor Vohra is the state planning on creating its own policies as some have had to do in order to broaden access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

>> Yeah.

>> the state has immunization advisory committee and >> over the last few months, we have been working to boost through that committee with the states.

>> Leading expert Happ of or local public health leaders.

Pediatrics, OBGYN and immunology to really understand him better address Illinois data and then determine what are the best recommendations for our residents.

you're planning to have a meeting of this group at end of September to make recommendations to the state on the guidance that is those things that we're missing right now.

The federal government credible, transparent evidence informed is Dr. Joshi scientifically based to ensure we are looking at those recommendations talking to other states, medical societies really making sure that we're doing a thorough process to ensure that IDPH in partnership with our local health departments like Cook County and the City of Chicago really aligning around the best evidence and ensuring that science leads the way to allow people to get vaccine that will help them during this fall respiratory season.

>> And Dr Ige.

We know the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a sip.

They're going to be meeting.

I think next week late next week to finalize their COVID-19 recommendations.

How do you feel about trusting those recommendations given that the Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Junior has appointed many new committed story.

Many new committee members who have a history of anti-vaccine views.

>> Yes, the looming decision in public health is to So if there's anyone on the seat that is not demonstrating all the the data that is guiding their decision-making, then that needs all We cannot follow blind the recommendations that have no, sir, I and II think basis.

Hold back.

So the way public health decisions and need they on this and they as of approval, the at many phases of clinical trials before vaccines are approved and then they is advisory committee with including many people with, you know, professional qualifications, but they still have to present the data.

If you want to the AC proceedings, it is data driven.

So now that is being replaced.

We've come, Jack, John and, you know, other non proven decision-making pathways.

Then we have to do what we think it's best with the data that we have You know, I to make decisions that are based.

>> Do feel like you'll be eyeing the meeting a little bit more closely differently this year than maybe you have in previous years.

>> Certainly certainly we all are, you know, glued to every word and every process >> okay.

Doctor Vohra want to pivot to federal funding before we're out of time.

What is the latest that you can share sort of about where Illinois stands since the Trump administration has slashed so much funding for state and local public health agencies this year.

>> We know that it continues to a huge concern and something that we're monitoring very closely.

I think we have been fortunate as through the litigation led by our Attorney general.

But there has continued to be sort of an injunction that allows us to spend much needed public health funds.

But it's a constant thing that we are monitoring closely.

We know the effects that are coming around Medicaid and human services based on house resolution.

One being passed.

And so it's another place that we're trying to align very closely with our local public health leaders to figure out how to be effective.

It is efficient in delivering our public health services throughout the state.

>> And that's where we'll have