Despite Major Change In COVID Vaccine Policy, Chaos Lingers In CA: What To Know

As coronavirus hospitalizations and death rates in California more than double amid a surge in cases, most Californians still don't know if they will be able to get the latest vaccine.

Since California and other West Coast states broke with the federal policy limiting access to the COVID-19 vaccine, patients, doctors and pharmacists alike have been mired in chaos.

Under vaccine skeptic Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health and Human Services recommendations limit access to the COVID-19 to anyone under 65 unless they have underlying medical conditions that leave them vulnerable to severe coronavirus outcomes. But the California Department of Public Health is recommending vaccination for infants, pregnant people and adults.

The conflicting guidelines have led to varying vaccine access for adults under 65 this week.

“The problem is, the pharmacists are confused as well,” UC Berkeley infectious disease expert John Swartzberg told the San Francisco Chronicle. “The doctors are confused as well. People are getting disparate advice from physicians and pharmacists because they’re confused. And the pharmacy companies are confused as to what to do. So they have varying policies.”

On Wednesday, Walgreens, one of the largest pharmacies in the state, announced that many adults under 65 won't need a prescription to get vaccinated nor proof of an underlying condition as long as they simply attest to having one such as obesity, asthma, diabetes or depression.

“Patients may self-attest to their qualifying condition—no proof or additional documentation is required,” Walgreens spokesperson Brigid Sweeny told SFGATE. “We encourage anyone with questions about their eligibility or personal risk factors to speak directly with our pharmacists, who are available to provide guidance and support.”

Still, some people are being told by their doctors or insurance companies, that their vaccination might not be covered.

The State And Federal Vaccine Schism

Ordinarily, states follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which relies on an advisory panel of infectious-disease specialists. But that changed after Kennedy disbanded the CDC’s panel and replaced it with seven members, many known anti-vaccine advocates, according to multiple reports.

Last week, CDC Director Susan Monarez was fired after resisting vaccine policy changes Kennedy pushed, Reuters reported. Since then, the CDC and FDA have further narrowed eligibility, advising that healthy children, pregnant people and otherwise healthy adults do not need shots.

California says it will continue recommending vaccines broadly, including the newer booster expected in coming months.

“CDPH continues to recommend that everyone age 6 months and older should have access and the choice to receive COVID-19 vaccines,” the state Department of Public Health said.

The back-and-forth has left Californians and medical professionals navigating a patchwork of conflicting vaccine policies, with state leaders pushing to preserve broad access even as federal agencies tighten eligibility. That landscape isn’t likely to change until the CDC’s reconstituted advisory committee meets on Sept. 18–19 to discuss and potentially vote on new vaccine recommendations.

In the meantime, California officials have vowed to keep vaccines available to everyone 6 months and older, regardless of federal limits.

“We’ll be aligning our immunization recommendations with trusted national medical professional organizations," California Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan said in a Tuesday briefing, the Chronicle reported previously. “More to come very soon on what we are doing specifically in California related to insurance coverage and ability for allied professionals to provide these vaccines as well. We hope more information will be out very soon.”

A Breakdown Of Conflicting Vaccine Guidance:

Who can get it right now (according to federal guidance):

• Adults 65 and older
• People of any age with certain health conditions (e.g., cancer, chronic lung/kidney/liver disease, obesity, smoking history, some disabilities, depression and other mental health conditions)

California’s position:

• The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) says everyone 6 months and older should have access to vaccination.
• In practice, pharmacies are following FDA rules, but providers and health systems may soon expand access under state guidance.

How to get it:

• Available at CVS, Walgreens and Safeway — online booking requires only self-attestation of eligibility, no proof needed.
• Cost: free with most insurance; without coverage, doses may cost $150–$200.
• Kaiser and other providers are reviewing state and medical society guidance and may offer shots more broadly, but timelines are unclear.

Who may not be able to (for now, at pharmacies):

• Healthy adults under 65
• Healthy children
• Pregnant and breastfeeding people

What are your options if you’re not eligible:

• Ask your doctor about an off-label prescription (though insurers may not cover it)
• Use remaining 2024–25 vaccine doses while supplies last
• Wait for the West Coast Health Alliance (CA, OR, WA) to issue recommendations in the coming weeks

Gov. Gavin Newsom, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek released the following statement last Wednesday:

“The CDC has become a political tool that increasingly peddles ideology instead of science, ideology that will lead to severe health consequences. California, Oregon, and Washington will not allow the people of our states to be put at risk.”

They plan to coordinate their vaccine recommendations and immunization plans based on science-based evidence from respected national medical organizations, according to a joint statement.

The debate comes as statewide rates of COVID-19 are among the highest in the nation, a surge fueled by a late-summer spike that experts warn could spill into flu season when cooler weather arrives.

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued its own COVID vaccination recommendations. The organization urges that children 6 months to two years old become immunized. A recommendation that the CDC has stood behind until now.

The recommendation comes as infants face hospitalization rates for COVID comparable to those of adults over 65, placing them in a similarly high-risk category. The AAP also advises vaccination for children ages 2 to 18 who have underlying conditions that increase their risk of severe illness, or who live with someone who is medically vulnerable.

Meanwhile, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has also issued recommendations, urging pregnant and breastfeeding people to get the jab.

The organization says pregnant women and infants aged less than 6 months old are at an increased risk of severe disease and maternal death from COVID-19 infections. In addition, its guidance says obstetricians and gynecologists should lead by example and get vaccinated.

On Monday, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommended COVID-19 vaccination for all adults. California health officials said they are reviewing the guidance and expect to issue their own recommendations later this month.

It's no secret that the Department of Health and Human Services is led by vaccine skeptic Kennedy.

Kennedy has openly questioned mRNA vaccine technology and even dismissed all 17 experts serving on the CDC’s influential vaccine advisory committee.

In May, Kennedy announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women.

"Bottom line: it’s common sense and it’s good science," Kennedy wrote on X. "We are now one step closer to realizing [Trump's] promise to Make America Healthy Again."

Kennedy has also made claims that the measles vaccine contains cells from aborted fetuses and that the mumps vaccine is a hoax.

“Our communities deserve clear and transparent communication about vaccines — communication grounded in science, not ideology,” said Sejal Hathi, director of the Oregon Health Authority.

"we’re in an unfortunate limbo, created by an administration that’s uncommitted to vaccines, between the slow shutting down of ’24-’25 vaccine availability and access to the ’25-’26 version," said Dr. Matt Willis, former health officer of Marin County. "This is particularly concerning in California as our transmission rates continue to climb."

Willis, who runs Your Local Epidemiologist, offered the following tips regarding the slow vaccine rollout:

• If you’re in a higher-risk group, get a shot now if you can. "If you were my patient, were at high risk, and hadn’t had a Covid shot this year, I’d probably recommend getting the current vaccine if you can find it locally."
• If you can’t get vaccinated now, sign up for the new shot.
• Wear an N95 mask indoors. "Now’s a good time to mask in indoor public places if you’re in a high-risk group."
• Stay tuned to our social channels. "We’re trying to answer a few extra questions as they come up on Instagram and elsewhere."