17 States Expand COVID-19 Vaccine Access Amid Federal Restrictions

Several states, including Arizona and Michigan, are expanding access to COVID-19 vaccines in response to recent federal restrictions limiting eligibility to those over 65 or with underlying health conditions. Arizona issued a standing order allowing pharmacists to administer vaccines to anyone aged six months and older without a prescription, following an executive order by Governor Katie Hobbs to broaden access and reduce confusion. Michigan's Chief Medical Executive, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, has recommended that anyone over six months old who wants the vaccine should be able to receive it, effectively broadening the high-risk category to include all unvaccinated individuals. Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan reaffirmed her support for vaccine accessibility through an executive order directing state agencies to ensure vaccine availability. These state actions represent a significant pushback against federal guidance under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with at least 17 states issuing orders to facilitate broader vaccine access despite federal limits. The movement reflects a growing trend of states relying on local public health experts to guide vaccine policy amid federal restrictions.