New York Gov. Hochul Plans Executive Order Expanding COVID Vaccine Access

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is set to sign an executive order allowing pharmacists to prescribe and administer COVID-19 vaccines without a prescription, aiming to ensure seamless vaccine access amid political attacks on science and restrictive federal guidelines. This temporary measure responds to recent FDA restrictions limiting vaccine eligibility to older adults and those with underlying conditions, a move linked to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s skepticism toward vaccines and resulting leadership shakeups at the CDC. Hochul's order counters these federal limitations, emphasizing New Yorkers' ability to make their own healthcare decisions and receive vaccines from trusted local providers. Alongside her executive order, state legislators like Queens Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar and State Senator John Liu are drafting bills to secure long-term access to preventive care and vaccines, including mandates for pharmacies to offer appointments without prescriptions. The initiative aligns New York with other Democratic-led states promoting vaccine access independently of federal policy. Pediatricians and public health experts underscore the importance of vaccine availability as students return to school.