RFK Jr and his gutted CDC made getting a COVID vaccine booster impossible for a lot of people in the USA. If you’re under 65 you need a prescription. Even if you have a pre-existing condition you still need a doctor’s Rx.
Various states are now responding individually and as groups to issue their own recommendations and standing orders so vaccine providers can legally give C19 vaccines/boosters to anyone who wants one.
Pharmacies require a standing order which allows them to administer vaccines to general public.
NM and CO have just allowed their residents to get a COVID vaccine/booster without a prescription.
California, Washington & Oregon are teaming up for a regional approach.
Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, RI and NY, and NJ and PA are also reportedly meeting to discuss regional coordination.
This should have already been done BEFORE the start of the school year.
Blue states are going to have to do better countering federal malfeasance.
Editing in info from article I just found about CVS and what states it currently does NOT require an Rx or states that DO require an Rx:
States that do not currently require a prescription at CVS:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
States that do require a prescription regardless of age at CVS:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- North Carolina
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
CVS will not offer COVID shots in Massachusetts, New Mexico, Nevada until those states change their standing orders.
In three states—Massachusetts, New Mexico and Nevada—CVS pharmacies cannot administer the COVID vaccine without ACIP approval, even with a prescription.
Based on the current regulatory environment, CVS Pharmacy is offering FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccinations in 34 states to consumers if they meet the newly restricted criteria (over the age of 65 or those with certain health conditions and/or risk factors). States may change at any time, the company said.
www.fiercehealthcare.com/...
https://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/Covid-19/Article/08-25/CVS-stops-COVID-shots/78073
2-massive-pharmacy-chains-limit-access-to-covid-vaccines-in-some-states-what-about-alabama.html
EDITED IN SUGGESTION:
Call your doctor’s office and ask the doctor to send the prescription. Many doctors will not require you to come in for an appointment for this RFK stupidity. (My doctor issued within an hour).
New Mexico:
New Mexico issues public health order to expand COVID-19 vaccine access
The New Mexico Department of Health has issued a public health order to ensure all residents can access the COVID-19 vaccine, countering new federal guidelines that limit availability to those with severe medical conditions and those 65 or older.
The state's health department stated its goal is to make the COVID-19 vaccine available to everyone, expressing concern that the new federal guidelines do not achieve this. "The New Mexico Department of Health is working very hard to make sure that safe and effective, licensed and for use in the United States, vaccines are available," Dr. Chad Smelser, the Medical Epidemiologist for the New Mexico Department of Health, said.
www.koat.com/...
Colorado:
Colorado issues orders allowing people to get a COVID vaccination this year without a prescription
The orders essentially create a standing prescription allowing for any Coloradan ages 6 months or older to receive a COVID shot if they or their parents choose. That is significant because pharmacy heavyweights CVS and Walgreens, amid confusion over federal vaccine policy, have thus far refused to administer COVID shots this year to anyone in Colorado without a doctor’s prescription.
coloradosun.com/...
West Coast and East Coast regional coordination:
These states are dumping RFK's CDC with a new vaccine alliance
California, Oregon and Washington formed a new West Coast Health Alliance in response to turmoil and shifting vaccine guidance at the CDC.
Responding to the federal government’s shifting guidance on vaccines and turmoil at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health officials in California, Oregon, and Washington state have formed a new West Coast Health Alliance.
The alliance's goal is to "ensure residents remain protected by science, not politics," according to a joint announcement on Sept. 3 from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, and Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson.
The three Democratic governors said the alliance will provide recommendations to residents on immunizations and ensure the public gets credible information on vaccine safety and efficacy. The governors called the partnership a unified response to what they called the Trump administration’s "destruction" of the CDC, the federal agency responsible for vaccine guidance.
snip
Health officials from Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania reportedly met in August to discuss coordinating their own vaccine recommendations separate from the federal government.
www.usatoday.com/...
In Michigan:
Michigan physician builds coalition to counter RFK Jr.'s 'dire' vaccine restrictions
And Rockwell is building a coalition of physicians in the state to find a way through the tumult at the federal level and ensure Michiganders can continue to get the preventive care they need to stay healthy.
snip
She teamed up with a physician who co-chairs the University of Michigan Immunization Committee with her and began to reach out to the heads of local and state organizations like the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians.
"We have been working to establish our own evidence-based recommendations because physicians are confused," said Rockwell, who also is the co-chair of the Michigan Advisory Committee on Immunizations for MDHHS. "Nurse practitioners, pharmacists are confused. Right now, pharmacists are hampered by the fact that they legally can’t give vaccinations if it’s not recommended. But doctors cangive off-label vaccinations.
www.freep.com/...
Personal Note:
I’m in Northeast, reserved slot this morning at Walgreens for a C19 booster & just found they won’t do it w/o Rx. Even if I pay out of pocket. I did fill out form online saying I have pre-existing condition (hypothyroid) that can be considered immune-deficient. No dice. I do happen to have a Dr appointment end of month. Worth noting getting a Dr’s appointment can take a month or two.
