CVS Health does not currently plan to offer the updated annual vaccine COVID-19 vaccine in more than a dozen states, citing the current “regulatory environment” after the updated shots receiving approval for high risk groups this week.
A spokesperson for CVS said in a statement that “based on the current regulatory environment,” the pharmacy chain will not offer COVID-19 vaccinations as normal in the following states and territories: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Customers can, however, still access the updated COVID-19 vaccines in most of these regions if they present an “authorized prescriber’s prescription.” But CVS will not offer COVID-19 vaccines at its locations in Massachusetts, Nevada and New Mexico.
Seasonal vaccines typically don’t require prescriptions, being available to the demographics who are eligible for the shots.
Earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration approved the updated COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer for seniors and people with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19. Moderna’s shot was approved for people in this cohort aged between six months of age and 64 years and Pfizer’s was approved for people between 5 and 64 years. --->READ MORE HERE
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week narrowed approval of the new, updated COVID-19 vaccines only to people who are over 65, or younger people with underlying conditions that put them at higher risk for severe disease.
That decision has raised questions about access for the millions of Americans who don't fall in those categories — and potentially even for some who do.
According to pharmacists, insurance groups and trade organizations, it will be more difficult for younger, otherwise healthy people to get a COVID-19 vaccine ahead of the winter respiratory virus season, as it will involve a trip to the doctor instead of walking into a pharmacy, and insurance coverage is, for now, unclear.
For at least the next few weeks, as the policy shifts are absorbed, the confusion may also impact access for older, higher-risk people.
This comes as Trump administration officials maintain that "100% of adults in this country can still get the vaccine if they choose," as FDA Commissioner Marty Makary wrote on X. "We are not limiting availability to anyone," he said.
"The FDA's decision does not affect the availability of COVID vaccines for Americans who want them," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday during a press conference. "We believe in individual choice. That's a promise both the president and [HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.] have made. And it's a promise they have now delivered on."
Experts interviewed by ABC News said this may be technically accurate, as a doctor can still determine that a non-eligible person needs the vaccine "off label."
But in practice, the confusion around the new policy and fear from doctors of going against the federal guidelines could make it significantly more challenging for people to get that prescription. --->READ MORE HEREFollow links below to relevant/related stories and resources:
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