With CDC signoff, CVS says Covid-19 vaccines will be available nationwide without a prescription

"The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on a recommendation that patients must consult a health care provider to get a Covid-19 vaccine, although they don't necessarily need a prescription. The updated CDC recommendation made by a new panel of vaccine advisers chosen by US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shifted away from a broader push in past years for most people to get an updated Covid-19 vaccine. It became final with signoff from Acting CDC Director Jim O'Neill."

"The new recommendations mean people ages 6 months and older can get Covid-19 vaccines after consulting with a qualified health care provider, which keeps the shots available but may also create more barriers to access than in past years. Before the finalized recommendation this year, access to Covid-19 shots has differed from state to state as pharmacies and providers navigated new federal vaccine policies."

"CVS, which had previously limited access to Covid-19 shots in some places, said Monday that it was updating our systems to be able to offer the updated COVID-19 vaccines to patients nationwide and that prescriptions from outside prescribers will no longer be required in any states. The signoff is also coming later than usual for the fall respiratory virus season. With the recommendation, the government can finally distribute Covid-19 vaccines through its Vaccines for Children program, which provides free inoculations to about half of US children."

Patients must consult a qualified health care provider to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, though a prescription is not required. The recommendation was finalized by Acting CDC Director Jim O'Neill after approval from a new panel of vaccine advisers selected by the HHS secretary. The guidance allows people ages 6 months and older to obtain updated vaccines but may create additional access barriers compared with prior years. State-by-state differences persisted as pharmacies and providers adjusted to federal policies. CVS said it will update systems to offer the vaccines nationwide without outside prescriptions. The recommendation enables distribution through the Vaccines for Children program.

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