States Take Steps to Ensure Broad Access to COVID-19 Vaccines Amid Federal Confusion

Strategic Insights -

In the midst of confusion and apparent age restrictions at the federal level, several states are taking proactive steps to guarantee their residents have wide access to the COVID-19 vaccine this fall. The move comes in response to the Food and Drug Administration's recent approval of updated COVID-19 vaccines, which have been met with altered eligibility criteria. Specifically, the agency now recommends the shots for individuals aged 65 and older or those with "high risk" conditions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Several states, including New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Colorado, and New Mexico, have issued executive orders or directed their boards of health and pharmacies to ensure access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Governors in these states aim to protect residents' rights to the COVID and other vaccines, making them available to people over and under age 65.
  • States like Massachusetts and California have formed a Western Health Alliance to develop their own immunization guidelines in response to disruptions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  • Experts suggest that states can make it easier to get vaccines by ensuring accessibility, creating state messaging, and operating vaccine clinics.
  • Pharmacists in some states, including Massachusetts, will provide the vaccine without a prescription, but prior to the executive order, Massachusetts was not one of those states.
  • Public health officials have questioned the leadership of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices following the ouster of CDC Director Susan Monarez over vaccine policy.

Statistics:

  • 90% of individuals get their COVID vaccines at a pharmacy (Source: Neil Maniar, director of Northeastern's master of public health program).
  • 16 states, including Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, initially had restrictions on the availability of COVID-19 vaccines due to requirements from the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (Source: CVS).
  • September 18-19: the next expected meeting date of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (Source: Feinstein Institute for Medical Research).

Sources:

  • "Massachusetts will ensure access to COVID vaccines for residents, governor says" by Cynthia McCormick Hibbert, Northeastern University, September 5, 2025.
  • Interview with Wendy E. Parmet, a leading expert in public health law and director of the Center for Health Policy and Law at Northeastern's School of Law.
  • Interview with Neil Maniar, director of Northeastern's master of public health program.