COVID vaccine access remains limited in Arizona
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Only certain groups can receive the updated COVID vaccines in Arizona. Photo illustration: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Gov. Katie Hobbs issued an executive order to expand Arizonans' access to updated COVID vaccines last week, but the shots are not yet widely available.
Why it matters: The American Academy of Family Physicians and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend the vaccine for most people and research has shown the shots are effective at preventing severe COVID infections and hospitalizations.
State of play: U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has spread debunked claims about vaccines, is seeking to limit who can receive COVID immunizations.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently updated its guidance to approve the shots only for people 65 and older or those who have certain underlying conditions.
- Previously, the injections were recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older.
Between the lines: This has led to nationwide confusion about who can administer and receive the shots per state and federal guidelines.
- Arizonans who do not meet the FDA parameters will likely need a prescription from their health care provider.
The latest: Hobbs' executive order directs the Arizona Department of Health Services to issue a "standing order" that serves as a prescription for pharmacists and health care providers to administer COVID vaccines.
- Yes, but: The department has yet to issue the order and did not respond to Axios' questions about a timeline.
Zoom in: There are currently a few entities administering the shots, and eligibility requirements are murky.
- In Arizona, pharmacists can administer the vaccine only to patients with a prescription from their health care provider, though nurse practitioners at CVS MinuteClinics can give the shots without a prescription.
- The state's largest health care system, Banner Health, is holding off on providing the vaccines at least until next week, the Arizona Republic reported.
What we're watching: The CDC's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices will meet Thursday and Friday to make recommendations for who should get COVID shots.
- Those recommendations could further change who can get the vaccines and where in Arizona they can be administered.