The Food and Drug Administration's recent approval of updated COVID-19 vaccines for 2025-2026 has created a complex regulatory landscape that is limiting access at major pharmacy chains across the United States. The FDA has restricted the new vaccines to a smaller, high-risk population, including adults ages 65 and older and individuals over 6 months who have risk factors for developing severe COVID-19.
Regulatory Barriers Create State-by-State Variations
CVS Pharmacy, the largest pharmacy company in the United States, currently cannot offer COVID-19 vaccines in 16 states, including New York, due to regulatory requirements. Amy Thibault, a CVS Pharmacy spokesperson, explained that the company cannot administer vaccines without approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"We expect to receive the updated 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines in the coming days. We'll administer FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines in states where legally permitted at CVS Pharmacy and/or MinuteClinic to meet our patients' needs," Thibault stated.
CVS is currently offering vaccinations in 34 states: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
ACIP Recommendations Key to Expanded Access
The availability of COVID-19 vaccines at pharmacies is contingent on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). CVS indicated that once ACIP acts on the updated COVID-19 vaccines or states take additional action to authorize pharmacy dispensing prior to ACIP recommendations, the company will be able to offer the FDA-approved vaccines in the remaining states.
In some states, CVS can offer the updated vaccines to patients with an authorized prescriber's prescription, depending on state law. These states include Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia. However, pharmacies are unable to administer COVID-19 vaccines in Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Mexico currently.
Walgreens Implements Similar Restrictions
Walgreens is also limiting its COVID-19 vaccine offerings in accordance with FDA approval and state requirements. A Walgreens spokesperson confirmed that the company will offer the vaccine to all adults ages 65 years and older, as well as to individuals under 65 who are at higher risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19, as determined by the CDC.
"We are proud to serve as a top choice and trusted destination for health and wellness, including our commitment to protecting patients and communities through continued access to essential vaccines," the Walgreens spokesperson stated.
Timeline and Access Challenges
The revamped vaccines target a newer version of the continuously evolving virus and are set to begin shipping soon. However, it could be days or weeks before many Americans know if they'll be able to get one, with access dependent on decisions by federal health advisers, health insurers, pharmacies, and state authorities.
Patients can schedule appointments through various channels. CVS appointments can be made online via CVS.com, through the CVS Health app, or patients can walk into CVS pharmacies and clinics. Walgreens patients can review their vaccine eligibility and schedule vaccines by speaking with local pharmacists, visiting Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine, using the Walgreens app, calling 1-800-WALGREEN, or texting FLU to 66879.
