46
HEALTHCARE
NEWS
46
CVS, Walgreens scale back COVID-19 vaccine
availability
By Alexandra Murphy
C
VS and Walgreens are set to require a prescription or not off er
COVID-19 vaccines in certain states, in a move to follow
guidelines that call for approvals from the CDC, CBS News
reported Aug. 29.
CVS told the news outlet the chain is not allowed to vaccinate
individuals even with a prescription in Massachusetts, Nevada and
New Mexico due to state laws. ere are 34 states in which CVS said
it can administer the vaccine without a prescription; in the remaining
16 states, the company said it can provide the vaccine depending on
the patient's age if there is a prescription from an authorized provider.
Walgreens, meanwhile, said in a statement to CBS News it is "prepared
to off er the vaccine in states where we are able to do so."
e FDA decision to withdraw emergency use for the Pfi zer vaccine
in children younger than 5 leaves Moderna's vaccine as the sole option
for individuals 6 months to 4 years old who have at least one health
condition.
On Aug. 19, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued vaccine
guidance that for the fi rst time in three decades diverged from federal
recommendations. In the guidance, the organization said it is "strongly
recommending" COVID-19 vaccinations for children 6 months to 2
years old, whereas the CDC said kids may get the vaccination from
consultation with a physician.
e Infectious Diseases Society of America reaffi rmed support for
the COVID-19 vaccine as a crucial tool to prevent severe illness,
hospitalization and death and said the narrow approvals could
increase risk.
" e scientifi c evidence continues to strongly support broad
vaccination far beyond the limited populations outlined in the Food
and Drug Administration's new label," Tina Tan, MD, president
of IDSA, said in a statement. "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." n
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