CVS requiring prescriptions for COVID vaccines

New Yorkers who wish to get the up to date COVID-19 vaccine will want a prescription to get one at CVS pharmacies, officers mentioned Friday.

The vaccines are anticipated to be delivered to pharmacies on Lengthy Island and throughout the state within the coming days, however federal well being officers are now not recommending them to everybody over 6 months outdated.

CVS, the nation’s largest pharmacy chain, mentioned in a press release that in 14 states, together with New York, it will administer the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines to sufferers “in the event that they current a certified prescriber’s prescription,” till a federal vaccine advisory panel makes a advice subsequent month. That applies to these over 65, a CVS spokeswoman wrote in an e mail.

On Wednesday, the Meals and Drug Administration licensed three up to date COVID-19 vaccines for individuals 65 and over in addition to these with underlying well being situations akin to hypertension, bronchial asthma and weight problems.

Different individuals can get the vaccine after consulting with their medical doctors, based on a social media submit from Well being and Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

It’s unclear what that might entail for wholesome adults underneath the age of 65 and youngsters as respiratory virus season looms. September and October are the prime time for individuals to obtain COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations.

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to fulfill Sept. 18-19. That panel often makes suggestions on vaccines for most of the people and may be pivotal in whether or not medical health insurance firms pay for the vaccine.

However the present upheaval on the CDC following the firing of its newest director may additionally have an effect. Well being professionals expressed issues in June when Kennedy, a longtime vaccine critic, fired all members of the ACIP and changed them with appointees who’ve additionally publicly expressed skeptical views of vaccines.

Dr. Eve Meltzer Krief, a pediatrician at Allied Doctor Group’s Huntington Village Pediatrics, mentioned she has not obtained any details about adjustments to the best way vaccines are delivered to kids.

“I believe we’re ready to see if insurance coverage firms will cowl the vaccine based on the American Academy of Pediatrics steerage recommending kids 6 months to 2 years get the vaccine,” she mentioned.

Meltzer Krief mentioned documenting high-risk situations akin to bronchial asthma can be “cumbersome and never environment friendly significantly at this late date.”

Nidhin Mohan, proprietor and supervising pharmacist at New Island Pharmacy in Deer Park, mentioned he has not but heard something in regards to the want for prescriptions or different limitations however doesn’t count on any points with provide since he can order instantly from Pfizer and different pharmaceutical corporations.

Walgreens, the nation’s second largest pharmacy chain, didn’t reply to requests for remark.

Lisa joined Newsday as a employees author in 2019. She beforehand labored at amNewYork, the New York Every day Information and the Asbury Park Press overlaying politics, authorities and basic project.