New York Gov. Kathy Hochul will sign an executive order allowing residents to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at pharmacies without a prescription, according to multiple reports. The measure aims to streamline access amid ongoing debates over federal guidelines and state-level policies.
Hochul stated in a written message that the decision reflects her commitment to ensuring New Yorkers can protect their health “in the absence of federal leadership.” She emphasized that families should have the right to vaccinate their children without barriers, adding that insurance coverage for the vaccine should be guaranteed.
A spokesperson for Hochul’s office described the order as a temporary measure to address regulatory uncertainty while the state legislature works on long-term solutions for preventive care access. The executive order would permit pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines to individuals aged 3 and older without requiring a prescription.
However, some pharmacies have raised concerns about federal guidelines. For example, CVS Health indicated that in New York, its pharmacists would still require a prescription for the latest vaccine updates, citing ongoing regulatory ambiguity. The company previously limited vaccine availability to 16 states and the District of Columbia, including New York.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved updated vaccines for higher-risk individuals, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s advisory committee is set to review recommendations in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the rescission of emergency use authorizations for broader public vaccination, shifting focus to targeted distributions for high-risk groups.
The executive order’s final details remain pending, but officials confirm it would expand pharmacist authority to administer vaccines without prescriptions. The impact on insurance coverage and pharmacy compliance remains unclear as the policy takes effect.