On Friday, the governors of Arizona, Illinois, Maine, and North Carolina joined a growing number of Democratic officials by signing orders that facilitate COVID-19 vaccine access at pharmacies without the need for individual prescriptions. This move comes amid a significantly altered landscape for vaccine distribution in 2025, where federal guidance has shifted, leading to complications in accessing vaccines for many residents.
According to CVS Health, the largest pharmacy chain in the United States, COVID-19 vaccines are available without individual prescriptions in 41 states as of midday Friday. However, residents in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia still require individual prescriptions based on the company’s interpretation of state policies.
With the recent orders from governors, states like Arizona, Maine, and North Carolina are likely to see a significant shift in their vaccine access policies. Maine Governor Janet Mills expressed her commitment to ensuring vaccine accessibility, stating, “I will not stand idly by while the Trump Administration makes it harder for Maine people to get a vaccine that protects their health and could very well save their life.”
In a broader effort, at least 14 states have announced new policies this month aimed at easing access to COVID-19 vaccines. This includes 12 states with Democratic governors, as well as Virginia, where Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is in charge. Some states, such as Delaware and New Jersey, had already initiated broader vaccine access earlier in the week, with Illinois following suit on Friday.
North Carolina's recent orders are somewhat more restrictive, applying primarily to individuals aged 65 and older, as well as those aged 18 and over with specific risk factors. Other adults still need to obtain prescriptions. While officials indicated that the order takes effect immediately, they cautioned that not all pharmacies may have the vaccine supply readily available.
In contrast, most Republican-controlled states have not made changes to their vaccine policies this month. However, vaccines remain accessible under existing regulations. Alongside the governors’ orders, pharmacy boards and other officials are also making moves to enhance vaccine availability. Notably, four states—California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington—have announced an alliance to propose their own vaccine recommendations, although only Oregon currently maintains the requirement for individual prescriptions at pharmacies.
The political landscape surrounding COVID-19 vaccines has become increasingly contentious. In prior years, the federal government recommended vaccines for all Americans over six months of age. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has since limited recommendations for 2025 to individuals aged 65 and older, as well as younger adults and children with specific risk factors like asthma or obesity.
This shift in policy followed the controversial dismissal of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, who accused the committee of being too aligned with vaccine manufacturers. The newly appointed members include individuals who are known skeptics of vaccines.
In a different approach, Florida's surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, announced intentions for the state to potentially eliminate vaccination requirements for children. However, subsequent statements from the state health department indicated that such changes might not take effect until December, and without legislative support, only a limited number of vaccines—such as those for chickenpox—would be made optional, while measles and polio vaccines would remain mandatory.
This evolving situation regarding COVID-19 vaccine access highlights the ongoing challenges and differing approaches taken by state leaders in response to the pandemic. As governors continue to implement new policies, it remains essential for residents to stay informed about their local vaccine availability and requirements.
