Sameer Vohra, MD, JD, MA Director at Illinois Department of Public Health | Official website
Sameer Vohra, MD, JD, MA Director at Illinois Department of Public Health | Official website
Illinois schools have been authorized to keep undesignated asthma inhalers on hand for treating students experiencing respiratory distress, according to a new standing order signed by Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). This initiative allows trained school personnel to administer inhalers without a specific prescription for individual students, streamlining the process for both public and private institutions across the state.
Director Vohra emphasized the importance of this measure, stating, “As a pediatrician, I have witnessed how important access to albuterol inhalers can be to save lives.” He highlighted that these medications are vital not only for students diagnosed with asthma but also for those who may not be aware they have it. The order complements statewide funding efforts led by Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly to ensure schools can stock these critical medications.
Under this standing order, school nurses or trained staff can administer quick-relief medications like albuterol via metered-dose inhalers when a student shows signs of severe respiratory distress. Schools must notify parents or guardians promptly if such medication is used.
The standing order supports the RESCUE Illinois Schools program, initiated after Public Act 100-0726 was enacted in 2018. The program is managed by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America – MidStates Chapter (AAFA-MidStates) in partnership with the Respiratory Health Association (RHA). AAFA-MidStates secured $2.4 million in funding from the FY23 Illinois state budget to implement this program statewide.
RESCUE Illinois Schools has provided resources to over 3,100 public schools in Illinois. In its initial five months, 126 schools reported using these medications on students aged 5 to 17 experiencing respiratory distress. Of these cases, 79% returned to class after treatment, while others went home or were taken to hospitals.
Chris Martinez, CEO of AAFA-MidStates, praised Illinois's leadership: “Governor Pritzker, the General Assembly, and IDPH have not just taken the next logical step in keeping children healthy and in school, but they have become absolute leaders across the country.”
The current IDPH standing order remains effective through February 2025 and will undergo annual reviews and updates.
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