vaxfinal

HIGHLAND PARK – All Illinois pregnant women on Medicaid can now access the important RSV vaccine from pharmacies thanks to the efforts of State Senator Julie Morrison, who has been working with state officials to make health care more accessible and equitable. 

Effective Nov. 20, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services removed the requirements for additional documentation of informed consent beyond the standard methods used for vaccinations and prior authorization for the RSV vaccine, which is the maternal Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine.

"The RSV vaccine is very important for pregnant women during this time of year, when RSV and respiratory illnesses tend to spike," said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). "I want to thank state officials at HFS for recognizing the need to guarantee pharmacy access to the RSV vaccine for all pregnant women on Medicaid."

The Illinois Department of Public Health made the following recommendations in September 2025 regarding RSV vaccination for individuals who have not been previously vaccinated:

  • All pregnant people during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy
  • Adults ages 50 years through 74 years at increased risk of severe RSV disease
  • All adults ages 75 years and older 

“This is welcome news for women and children, but the work cannot stop there,” said Morrison. “We need to continue working on vaccine literacy and continue our outreach efforts. Women need to know not only are these vaccines more accessible, but they are safe, effective, and essential.”

For more information on the RSV vaccine, click here.