New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order Friday allowing pharmacists across the state to administer COVID-19 shots to anyone who requests one. The 30-day measure can be renewed until lawmakers reconvene in January to consider permanent legislation.
“If you want your child to have a COVID shot, it should be available to you and covered by insurance,” Hochul said, calling the move a necessary step in response to federal restrictions.
The Trump administration, under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has limited FDA approval of the updated vaccine to people over 65 and those with underlying conditions. Pharmacies such as CVS said they will begin offering the shots statewide under Hochul’s order.
Several Democratic-led states are taking similar actions. California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii formed a “West Coast Health Alliance” to independently review vaccine data, while Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey directed insurers to cover vaccines cleared by her state’s health department.
In contrast, Florida’s Republican leadership moved in the opposite direction. The state’s surgeon general announced an end to all vaccine mandates, a decision backed by Governor Ron DeSantis.
U.S. vaccination rates have continued to fall in recent months.
