New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order on Thursday (September 4) to ensure New Yorkers have easy access to COVID-19 vaccines amid regulatory uncertainty. The order allows pharmacists to prescribe and administer the latest COVID shots without a prescription for the next 30 days. This action comes after the FDA approved updated vaccines only for older and high-risk Americans, leading some pharmacies to require prescriptions.

Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of maintaining vaccine accessibility in light of recent federal actions that have created confusion around vaccine availability. "By signing this executive order, we are sending a clear message that when Washington Republicans play politics with public health, New Yorkers can still get the care they need," Hochul stated in a press release on the official New York State website.

The order expands pharmacists' authority to administer vaccines to children under 18 and allows them to prescribe COVID vaccines. This measure ensures that all eligible New Yorkers, including children, pregnant individuals, and healthy adults under 65, can receive vaccinations at local pharmacies without delay.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, asserting that COVID-19 vaccines are accessible at pharmacies for free, though some pharmacies are selective due to federal regulation uncertainties. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is set to discuss further recommendations in an upcoming meeting.

Governor Hochul's executive order aims to provide immediate access to vaccines while working with the Legislature on a long-term solution to safeguard preventive care and vaccine access in New York. ABC News reported that the order is part of a broader strategy to protect public health in the state.

Jeff Stevens