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Vaccines

New York Lawmakers Push to Broaden Access to COVID-19 Vaccines Amid Federal Restrictions

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

New York lawmakers are pushing to broaden access to COVID-19 vaccines as the Trump administration adds new restrictions, citing concerns that the federal government is no longer a trusted partner in public health practice. Multiple bills have been introduced to reduce the state's reliance on the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and to establish a state-level system for determining vaccine eligibility. This move comes after President Donald Trump's administration replaced the members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with vaccine skeptics, sparking widespread criticism from medical groups.

Key Takeaways:

  • New York lawmakers are pushing to broaden access to COVID-19 vaccines, citing concerns that the federal government is no longer a trusted partner in public health practice.
  • Multiple bills have been introduced to reduce the state's reliance on the CDC and to establish a state-level system for determining vaccine eligibility.
  • The bills would allow the state health department to proffer rules on vaccine eligibility, setting up a state-level system that has been handled by the federal government for decades.
  • Assemblymember Jennifer Rajkumar is drafting legislation that would remove reliance on recommendations from the CDC and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
  • The FDA has recently approved COVID boosters but limited access to people 65 and older or who have underlying medical conditions, sparking criticism from medical groups.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended the shots for a broader range of children, breaking from the federal guidance.
  • The CDC has been in turmoil, with Director Susan Monarez being forced out by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and several top deputies resigning in protest.

Statistics:

  • 9 former CDC leaders have penned a public essay criticizing HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recent actions as unacceptable.
  • The state health department has allowed pharmacists to administer COVID vaccines without a prescription ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started.
  • More than 90% of people now receive vaccinations at pharmacies.
  • New York has some of the country's strongest school vaccination requirements, but no requirement that students receive a COVID or flu shot.

Sources:

  • gothamist.com/news/what-to-know-about-vaccines-in-ny-as-students-go-back-to-school
  • www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/06/09/nx-s1-5428533/rfk-jr-vaccine-advisory-committee-acip
  • www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/08/27/nx-s1-5515503/fda-covid-vaccines-restricted
  • apnews.com/article/covid19-vaccines-aap-cdc-33896013e1d7b3ad06dbd0d99d300bff
  • www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/08/29/nx-s1-5522036/cdc-rfk-hhs-monarez-jim-oneill-leadership
  • www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/opinion/cdc-leaders-kennedy.html
  • www.kalw.org/bay-area-news/2025-09-03/west-coast-governors-form-a-public-health-partnership-as-the-cdc-loses-the-publics-trust
  • www.kuow.org/stories/florida-working-to-end-vaccine-mandates

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