CVS and Walgreens Limit Access to COVID-19 Vaccines Due to State Guidelines
Pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens are now requiring a prescription or are not offering COVID-19 vaccines in some states, as they attempt to follow state guidelines that require approvals from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This change comes after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax for all seniors, but only for younger adults and children with health conditions.
The FDA’s approval has led to a complex vaccination landscape, with different rules applying to different age groups and states. In a statement, CVS said that due to state laws and regulations, the pharmacy chain cannot vaccinate those even with a prescription in Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Mexico. However, CVS is offering COVID-19 vaccinations in 32 states, including Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
State-by-State Vaccination Policies
In the other 16 states, CVS said it can administer a COVID-19 vaccination, depending on the patient’s age, with an authorized prescriber’s prescription. Walgreens also stated that it is prepared to offer the vaccine in states where it is able to do so, following the recent FDA approval of the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine. The FDA’s decision to end emergency authorization for the Pfizer vaccine for children under 5 will limit vaccine choices for younger children, leaving the Moderna vaccine as the only vaccine available for those 6 months to 4 years old with at least one health condition.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently released vaccine recommendations that differ from U.S. government advice. The AAP strongly recommends COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 2 years old, while the CDC does not recommend COVID-19 shots for healthy children of any age. Instead, the CDC suggests that kids may get the shots in consultation with a physician. This discrepancy highlights the complexity of COVID-19 vaccination policies and the need for individuals to consult with healthcare professionals to determine the best course of action.
Sara Moniuszko contributed to this report. For more information on COVID-19 vaccines and state guidelines, please visit the CBS News website. Kierra Frazier, a news editor for CBS News & Stations, can be reached for further clarification on this topic.
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