Covid-19 Executive Order #88 from Gov. Pritzker

Take home points from this Executive order:

1.       All EMS personnel are considered to be healthcare workers and are included in these provisions.

2.       All employers are required to ensure that employees wear [approved] face coverings [that fully cover the nose and mouth] when in indoor work spaces. See Section 1 for exclusions.

3.       EMS and EMS licensed vehicles are considered healthcare facilities. See Section 2ii.

4.       Definition of fully vaccinated: See Section 2iii.

5.       First dose of a two-dose vaccine series required by Sept. 19^th and 2^nd dose required within 30 days

6.       Section 2(b): Any healthcare worker who cannot establish that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 must be tested in compliance with Subsection (d). See order for how proof of vaccination can be established.

7.       Section 2(d): Beginning Sept. 19^th, to enter, work at or for a healthcare facility, healthcare workers who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 must be tested at least weekly as described in the Executive Order.

8.       Exemptions for COVID-19 vaccinations: See Section 2(e).

9.       Nothing in this updated Executive Order prevents an employer or school from setting more restrictive timelines or guidelines with respect to mandatory vaccinations.

Cannot find your vaccination form?

For those that were fully vaccinated at NCH and did not receive or cannot find your proof of vaccination form, they are working on a process for how you can verify your vaccination status. 

Dr. Jordan and I fully support the steps being taken by the Governor, all our healthcare systems, and Harper College to protect the health and safety of our workers, students, communities and patients.  More and more people are being vaccinated every day. A massive body of evidence shows the safety and efficacy of the vaccines in millions of persons. The corona virus (like all viruses) continues to mutate and we reaffirm our commitment to you that we will disseminate evolving science, guidelines, and recommendations as they are received from credible sources.

Vaccination, coupled with appropriate masking, distancing, and handwashing are our best offense to combat this relentless pandemic.

Third Dose of vaccine for Immunocompromised persons

• The CDC recommends that people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised receive a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine at least 28 days after the completion of the first two doses.
• At this time, NCH is offering third doses ONLY to immunocompromised patients. Patients who qualify should call the NCH Vaccine Hotline at 847-618-0242 to schedule an appointment.
• While people who are immunocompromised make up about 3% of the U.S. adult population, they are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness. The data shows they may benefit from receiving an additional dose of an mRNA vaccine to develop as much protection as possible against COVID-19
• Immunocompromised patients can be or have:
  • In active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
  • In receipt of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
  • In receipt of CAR-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy)
  • Have moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
  • Advanced or untreated HIV infection
  • In active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (i.e., ≥20mg prednisone or equivalent per day), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, tumor-necrosis (TNF) blockers and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory.
• This action by the FDA and CDC does not apply to people who are not immunocompromised or to those who have received the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
• While the vaccination is likely to increase protection in this population, even after vaccination, people who are immunocompromised should continue to follow current preventive measures (including wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others they do not live with, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces) to protect themselves and those around them against COVID-19 until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.

Third Dose for All Individuals 12 Years and Older

• The FDA has recommended a plan to begin offering third dose shots all individuals 12 years and older to begin later this fall. The third dose is recommended starting 8 months after an individual’s second dose. NCH is developing a plan to administer third dose shots to physicians, staff, and the community and more information will be provided when available.

Please let me know if you have questions or concerns about the EMS System’s position on any of these points and Dr. Jordan and I will get back to you ASAP.

Connie J. Mattera, MS, RN, Paramedic

COVID-19 EXECUTIVE ORDER # 88