COVID Vaccine Access Restrictions Expand as CVS and Walgreens Adjust Offerings

Recently, CVS and Walgreens have modified their COVID-19 vaccination services across various states, aligning their practices with evolving state laws and current CDC guidelines. These changes mean that vaccine availability will no longer be uniform nationwide. CVS has announced that it can only provide COVID-19 vaccines in specific states, including 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. In other states—such as Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Mexico—CVS reported that due to local regulations, it is not authorized to administer COVID vaccines at all, even with a prescription. Walgreens has also confirmed that it will only offer vaccines where state rules permit. This shift follows recent FDA decisions, which authorized updated booster vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax for eligible adults and children with specific health conditions. However, vaccination options for children under age 5 are now limited since the FDA ended emergency authorization for Pfizer's vaccine for this age group, leaving Moderna as the only option for children aged 6 months to 4 years with certain medical conditions. Additionally, there is growing discrepancy between the guidelines of the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for children under 2 years old. The AAP strongly recommends vaccination for children from 6 months to 2 years, while the CDC advises parents to consult with their child's healthcare provider to make an informed decision. These ongoing changes highlight the dynamic landscape of COVID-19 vaccination policies across the United States.