by Barbara Nevins Taylor

Almost a week after we posted the story about being unable to get the COVID vaccine in New York, Governor Kathy Hochul changed the rules. She declared a state of emergency, “due to recent federal actions related to vaccine access. She signed an executive order allowing pharmacists in New York State to administer the vaccine to those who want it.  

This was a big deal because right after the vaccine was approved by the FDA, CVS and Walgreens said they would not offer the vaccine in 16 states including NY. That’s because heath policy in these states require that a Centers for Disease Control panel approve the vaccine before pharmacists can give it.

But the CDS is in chaos. President Trump fired the CDC director, and other top health officials resigned because they said they worried about Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s (RFK)  anti-vaccine policies. 

So although the FDA approved the vaccine, for certain groups including people over 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions, those who qualified for the vaccine couldn’t get it.  But the FDA’s conditional approval also blocked out children and others who might want or need the vaccine. They now need a doctor’s   prescription.

To try remedy the problem created in Washington, D.C., Western states, California, Oregon, Washington State and Hawaii formed an alliance to formulate their own health care policies. Governors and health care leaders cited attacks on science by RFK Jr. for the need to go it alone.  Massachusetts and New Mexico are also setting their own health care policies.

While RFK Jr. told senators at a capitol hill hearing last week that anyone who wants the vaccine can get it. That turns out not to be true.  Getting the vaccine is pretty much dependent on where you live and what your state has decided to do.

I got the vaccine in New York City, and I’m relieved to have some  protection from the COVID virus.