Concerned about federal vaccine policies, states are crafting their own

"State leaders are going their own way in making vaccine policies this fall which means your ability to get a COVID-19 shot may soon depend on where you live. New York has declared a "statewide disaster emergency" to preserve access to COVID vaccines. Massachusetts is making insurers pay for vaccines recommended by the state and not solely those recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

"The tipping point came last week, Worsham said, when the Food and Drug Administration put limits on who's eligible for the fall COVID shot, restricting approval to people who are 65 or older or have other health problems that put them at risk. That means healthy adults and children who want to get the vaccine must now get a prescription outside federal recommendations."

Multiple U.S. states are independently changing fall COVID-19 vaccine policies, producing variation in vaccine access and eligibility across the country. New York declared a statewide disaster emergency to preserve vaccine access. Massachusetts is requiring insurers to cover vaccines recommended by the state, not only those recommended by federal agencies. New Mexico is ensuring pharmacists can continue administering vaccines. West Coast states formed the West Coast Health Alliance to coordinate recommendations, and Northeastern states are considering a regional collaboration. Federal staff and budget cuts, firings and leadership departures at health agencies and recent FDA limits on fall-shot eligibility prompted these state actions. Healthy adults and children may now need prescriptions to receive the vaccine in some places.

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