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In response to a new federal mandate that restricts COVID-19 vaccine access for adults 65 and older and people with chronic conditions, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to renew her executive order ensuring broader vaccine availability. On Tuesday, Hochul received her COVID shot at a pharmacy and encouraged New Yorkers to do the same, despite the Food and Drug Administration's recent decision to bar pharmacists from administering the vaccine without a doctor's prescription.
The executive order, initially signed earlier this month, allows pharmacists to continue administering COVID vaccines to all eligible New Yorkers, including children and healthy adults under 65, without requiring a prescription. Hochul emphasized the importance of timely vaccination, stating, "We must do everything we can to ensure that New Yorkers have access to the vaccines and preventative healthcare they have come to rely on."
The federal restrictions, introduced by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have led to confusion and reduced vaccine access at pharmacies across the state. Governor Hochul's executive order aims to counteract these limitations by expanding who can prescribe and administer COVID vaccines.
New York is among at least 17 states taking measures to maintain vaccine access amid federal restrictions. States like Wisconsin, Colorado, and Massachusetts have issued similar orders to ensure pharmacists can administer vaccines without prescriptions and require insurers to cover the cost. Stateline.org reports that these actions represent a significant state-level pushback against federal public health policies.
Governor Hochul's executive order is set to remain in effect through October 5, with the possibility of renewal as state officials work on a long-term legislative solution to secure vaccine access in New York. The order is part of a broader strategy to protect public health and ensure that New Yorkers can receive necessary vaccinations without unnecessary barriers.
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