When Covid vaccines were first authorized for pharmacy distribution in 2021 through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program (FRPP), major chains like CVS and Walgreens were among the early participants to offer them. Their participation helped make vaccinations more accessible than ever.
By May of that year, the program had expanded to all 50 states. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 90% of Americans received their Covid vaccine at a pharmacy by 2024.
However, a recent rule change by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now making this once-easy process more difficult, limiting access for millions.
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CVS and Walgreens scale back Covid vaccine access
CVS (CVS) and Walgreens (WBA) , two of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains, are reducing access to updated Covid vaccines in multiple states following the new FDA guidelines.
A CVS spokesperson said the pharmacy has paused vaccine services in three states and limited its access in 13 others, plus Washington, D.C., but plans to resume vaccinations in all legally permitted states once approvals are granted.
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Walgreens has also halted Covid vaccination appointments while awaiting FDA approval for the updated 2025-2026 vaccine. According to its website, the pharmacy will resume offering the vaccine where it legally can once authorized.
Residents in the following states face restricted access to the updated Covid vaccine at CVS. In some of these areas, eligible individuals may still be able to receive the vaccine at CVS Health pharmacy or MinuteClinic locations with a prescription from a health care provider.
States with limited Covid vaccine access at CVS:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
States with no access to the updated Covid vaccine at CVS:
- Massachusetts
- Nevada
- New Mexico
The FDA approves updated Covid vaccines with restrictions
These surprising developments follow the new restrictions the FDA introduced in May 2025 that take effect this fall. The new federal guidelines limit eligibility for the updated Covid vaccines to seniors 65 and older and high-risk younger adults with certain underlying health conditions.
On August 27, the FDA officially approved the updated Covid vaccines from three manufacturers, but only for limited age groups.
Approved updated Covid vaccines:
- Moderna: Approved for people six months and older
- Pfizer: Approved for people ages five and older
- Novavax: Approved for ages 12 and older.
Pharmacies are now adjusting their protocols to align with these restrictions while awaiting further guidance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which is expected to meet later this month.
Covid vaccine rule changes spark mixed reactions from officials and health experts
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote in a post on X that he promises “to keep vaccines available to people who want them, especially the vulnerable.”
However, the new mandate significantly reduces access to Covid protection for millions of Americans. One of the most controversial changes is that the Pfizer vaccine is no longer available to children under 5.
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Many health experts have voiced their opposition to the recent decision, warning of its potential consequences.
“By narrowing its approval, FDA has made a decision that completely contradicts the evidence base, severely undermines trust in science-driven policy and dangerously limits vaccine access, removing millions of Americans’ choice to be protected and increasing the risk of severe outcomes from Covid,” said The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) President Dr. Tina Tan in a statement.
“Let’s be clear, @RobertKennedyJr is currently limiting access to vaccines by preventing pharmacists from doing their job,” posted Medical Analyst Dr. Vin Gupta on X.
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