Gov. Hochul issues executive order allowing New Yorkers to get COVID shot without prescription
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order Friday morning allowing New Yorkers to get a COVID vaccine at pharmacies in the state without a prescription.
Hochul signed the order on Long Island, making New York State the latest to send a clear message to the Trump administration about its efforts to limit access to the COVID vaccine.
"I don't understand why you would not let families have the choice to protect their children's health... that's what this is about," she said.
It comes after the Food and Drug Administration approved updated versions of the COVID vaccine, but authorized them only for people 65 and older or for people who have an underlying medical condition.
As a result, many pharmacies in New York began restricting access to the COVID vaccine, particularly for:
-Children ages 3-17
-Pregnant people
-Adults under age 65 without underlying conditions
But Hochul said the executive order declares "a disaster in the state of New York due to federal actions related to vaccine access" and ensures access to the vaccine immediately.
"So you can go into a pharmacy, not have to worry about going to a doctor's office and getting a prescription," Hochul explained. "Pharmacists will now, as a result of this signing, be authorized to administer COVID shots to those who choose to have them."
RELATED | FAQs about COVID-19 vaccines
Hochul said the executive order must be renewed every 30 days. She said the state legislature will formalize a long-term plan when the state legislature returns early next year.
"Governor Hochul's Executive Order provides access to the COVID vaccine for New Yorkers who choose to get vaccinated, sets us up for a smoother transition to the updated 2025-26 vaccine and restores pharmacies as a vital part of our vaccination network," said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. "While New York State does not require COVID vaccines, vaccination remains one of the most effective tools we have to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID."
A spokesperson for CVS shared a statement in response to the governor's executive order, saying "we will ensure COVID-19 vaccinations are available as soon as possible at all New York CVS Pharmacy locations."
CVS says that as soon as they begin offering vaccinations, appointments will be made available viaCVS.comand the CVS Health app.
As for who will pay for their vaccines, Hochul said many of the large insurers said they will cover it.
"If you could prevent an illness, isn't that a lot less expensive to treat in the long run?" Hochul said.
The announcement is a reprieve for many New Yorkers, but it has also now sparked confusion.
The health care chaos was on full display Thursday at the U.S. Capitol, where Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a noted vaccine skeptic, faced a withering inquiry from the Senate Finance Committee.
Medical groups and several Democrats in Congress have called for Kennedy to be fired, and his exchanges with Democratic senators on the panel repeatedly devolved into shouting, from both sides.
Some Republican senators also expressed unease with his changes to COVID-19 policies.
Meanwhile, those in the medical community, and on the front lines are equally confused and frustrated by the chaos.
"We can't trust what was always a non-political, trusted organization," said Northwell Public Health and Epidemiology Chief Dr. Bruce Farber. "It's a dramatic change from the past."
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