News Summary
CVS and Walgreens have implemented a new requirement for COVID-19 vaccinations, now necessitating a prescription in certain states following updated FDA guidelines. This change complicates access for many individuals, particularly affecting younger populations and those without primary care doctors. While CVS continues to offer vaccinations without a prescription in other states, Walgreens echoes the new regulations. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential impact on vaccination rates and the ability of individuals to secure necessary health services amidst these changes.
CVS and Walgreens Implement New Prescription Requirement for COVID-19 Vaccines
Washington, D.C. – CVS and Walgreens are changing the way they administer COVID-19 vaccines in certain states by requiring prescriptions. This decision follows new guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that restricts eligibility and complicates access to COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly for individuals who do not have primary care doctors or health insurance.
The states now requiring doctor’s prescriptions for COVID-19 vaccines include Arizona, Washington D.C., Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, North Carolina, New Mexico, New York, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia. In contrast, CVS will continue to provide COVID-19 vaccines without a prescription in several other states, including Alaska, Alabama, California, Connecticut, among others.
According to CVS, individuals can receive the COVID-19 vaccine without a prescription in numerous states. Those states include Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. CVS is explicitly unable to administer vaccines in Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Mexico due to specific state laws and regulations.
Walgreens has also confirmed that the COVID-19 vaccine is available in Louisiana; however, it mirrors CVS’s regulations by requiring a prescription from an authorized prescriber for eligible individuals. This shift in policy comes alongside new FDA guidelines that limit vaccine eligibility primarily to individuals aged 65 and older and younger individuals with underlying health conditions that may put them at risk for severe complications from the virus. Consequently, this affects access to vaccines for younger populations, particularly children under the age of 5, as the Pfizer vaccine has lost its authorization for this age group.
Currently, the COVID-19 vaccines approved by the FDA—those from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax—are designated for seniors and specific younger populations with medical vulnerabilities. The implications of the prescription requirement have raised concerns among healthcare advocates, as many individuals without established healthcare providers may find it increasingly difficult to secure vaccinations.
Due to the recent FDA changes, major pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens have also scaled back vaccination availability in various areas, notably North Carolina. This adjustment is part of the broader impact of the changes in vaccination policy, which restricts access and could lead to lower vaccination rates among the public.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to meet on September 18-19 to evaluate new updates on vaccine recommendations, which may subsequently change the current rules governing pharmacy vaccination dispensing. In the interim, Walgreens has noted that appointments for the updated COVID-19 vaccines will be made available once the vaccines receive full authorization and are distributed throughout pharmacies.
Individuals trying to test their eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines on CVS’s website have found that many under the age of 65, without any health conditions, cannot schedule vaccination appointments due to the new restrictions.
As of now, Walmart has yet to receive authorization to distribute COVID-19 vaccines and advises individuals to check their website for updates on vaccine scheduling.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- The New York Times
- Wikipedia: COVID-19 vaccination in the United States
- CBS News
- Google Search: COVID-19 vaccine requirements
- Charlotte Observer
- Google Scholar: COVID-19 vaccine access issues
- NBC Washington
- Encyclopedia Britannica: COVID-19 vaccine policies
- 11Alive
- Google News: COVID-19 vaccine restrictions
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
