Colorado health officials issued an order allowing people to get a COVID vaccine without a prescription at pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens

The orders follow the federal Food and Drug Administration’s decision to authorize COVID vaccine boosters only for certain people

Colorado officials on Wednesday issued public health orders aimed at making it easier for Coloradans to receive a COVID vaccine booster this fall.

The orders essentially create a standing prescription allowing for any Coloradan ages 6 months or older to receive a COVID shot if they or their parents choose. That is significant because pharmacy heavyweights CVS and Walgreens, amid confusion over federal vaccine policy, have thus far refused to administer COVID shots this year to anyone in Colorado without a doctor’s prescription.

In addition, the state Board of Pharmacy will meet Friday to discuss rule changes that could further ensure access to COVID vaccines.

“Colorado is committed to empowering individuals to make choices to protect their own health and safety,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement, “and I will not allow ridiculous and costly red tape or decisions made far away in Washington to keep Coloradans from accessing vaccines.”

The prescription order goes into effect on Friday.

  • Zorcron@lemmy.zipEnglish
    3·
    20 hours ago

    According to a recent article about NY, which has similar vaccine laws to my state:

    “According to Dr. Thomas Russo, the Chief of Infectious Disease at both U.B. and the V.A. in Western New York, the approval process for vaccines is a two-step process. Step one, the FDA licenses the vaccine. That happened last week for people 65 and older and for those six months to 64-years-old with an underlying condition that puts them at an increased risk of developing severe COVID.

    The second step is for the CDC to make recommendations. That hasn’t happened yet. Dr. Russo says New York is one of 16 states where pharmacists are only authorized to administer vaccines recommended by the CDC.”

    You would likely need an Rx if you don’t meet the criteria for the CDC recommendation (and I would assume they will mirror the FDA’s approval). In that case, the vaccine would be off-label, and so insurance may not cover it, but if you tell the pharmacy you are at high risk for Covid, making you eligible, there should be state laws in place that make your insurance pay for the vaccine.

    It seems CVS is trying to be precautious legally speaking and blanket requiring a prescription, but I recommend you call or ask in person your local pharmacy, be it a chain or independent. In a couple weeks when the CDC and ACIP put out their recommendations, thing will be more clear.

    • AA5B@lemmy.world
      1·
      19 hours ago

      Yeah, realistically my best bet is to wait a few weeks to see how it falls out. Theirs a reasonable chance our state legislature will do something g to help. I have been tending to get COVID boosters in October anyway.