"Many states are moving to guarantee COVID-19 vaccine access for their residents amid new restrictions set by the Trump administration. But when people in these states try to schedule a vaccine appointment online, as they've done for years, they may be out of luck: The country's four largest retail pharmacy chains - CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Kroger - are still discouraging and barring some people from booking these appointments online, even in states where it's allowed, a Lever review found."
"On Friday, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a federal vaccine committee largely appointed by Kennedy, recommended Americans consult with health care providers before getting vaccinated, leaving unclear whether people can get the shots at pharmacies without a doctor's permission. Amid the regulatory changes this summer, both CVS and Walgreens, the country's top two pharmacy chains, swiftly stopped offering COVID-19 vaccines for individuals without a doctor's prescription in more than a dozen states."
State actions to guarantee COVID-19 vaccine access have clashed with federal restrictions and private pharmacy policies. The largest retail pharmacy chains are discouraging or barring online scheduling for some people even where state rules allow vaccination. People can sometimes request shots in person, but prohibitionary online messaging risks sowing confusion and lowering vaccination uptake. HHS policy changes narrowed eligibility to those over 65 and higher-risk young children, reversing broader prior guidance. A federal advisory panel recommended consulting health providers before vaccination, creating uncertainty about pharmacy-based vaccinations without a prescription. Major chains halted vaccines without prescriptions in multiple states.
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