VA Eases COVID-19 Vaccine Access Amid Shifting Federal Guidelines

As confusion grows around who can and cannot receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine, the Virginia Department of Health this week issued guidance for state pharmacists that should make it easier for residents to receive the shot.

As of last week, Virginia was one of 13 states that required residents to have a prescription for the vaccine as pharmacists await guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on who should receive the shot.

In recent years, the committee met earlier in the summer so that shots were available ahead of the winter respiratory season, according to previous reports. This year, the committee isn't scheduled to meet until Sept. 18.

In an order released Wednesday, Virginia state health officials said pharmacists can now administer vaccines without a prescription; however, they must still abide by new federal eligibility requirements on who can and cannot receive the shot.

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“We realize this has been top of mind for many Virginians in the past several days,” Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. Karen Shelton said, “and we are resolved to increase access to the updated formulation of the COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible Virginians.”

In August, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved new versions of the COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech and from Moderna, the companies announced. The newest versions are designed to target the LP.8.1 sublineage of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the most recent variant that has been spreading in Virginia.

When the FDA approved the updated vaccines last week, it also altered its policy on who can receive one.

The updated vaccines will only be available to people age 65 or older, the FDA said. Those 64 or younger can only receive the vaccines if they have at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19, the FDA said. Officials have not specified which conditions qualify.

The order released by Virginia health officials on Wednesday follows these guidelines for vaccine eligibility.

Until recently, the CDC, following recommendations by infectious disease experts, urged annual COVID-19 boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older.

However, in May, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. A few days later, the CDC issued language that healthy children may get the shots, but that there was no longer a “should” recommendation.

The ACIP was set to make recommendations about the fall shots in June. Among the options the panel was considering was to suggest shots for high-risk groups, but still give lower-risk people the choice to get vaccinated.

But Kennedy bypassed the group and also decided to dismiss the 17-member panel, instead appointing his own, smaller panel that included vaccine skeptics. Kennedy also later excluded the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and other top medical organizations from working with the advisers to establish vaccination recommendations.

The FDA's policy change is expected to go to the vaccine advisory committee, which will make the final recommendation on who should get the shots.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.