Why getting a COVID vaccine in Virginia just got a lot harder
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
Federal policy shake-ups have turned Virginia into one of several states where getting a COVID vaccine now requires a prescription at major pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens.
Why it matters: The federal government's new limits on who can get COVID shots could leave families scrambling this fall, when infections typically increase.
Driving the news: The FDA recently revoked the broad emergency use authorizations for COVID vaccines, ending the blanket access that once let most Virginians walk into a pharmacy to get one without a doctor's note. Now:
- Adults 65 and older remain eligible.
- Children and adults 5–64 qualify only if they have an underlying health condition, like asthma, heart disease or cancer.
- Shots for healthy children under 5 are no longer broadly approved.
Reality check: Many health experts argue that shots are still important for the general public, which remains at risk for severe outcomes as well as long COVID.
The big picture: Individuals who aren't part of the recommended groups may not be covered by insurance and may be forced to pay out of pocket.
- That could especially strain the nearly 1.9 million Virginians on Medicaid, given a COVID shot can cost more than $140.
- The state hasn't announced whether doses will be available through federal programs or health department clinics.
- The Virginia Department of Health and Richmond's and Henrico's health districts didn't respond to Axios' questions by time of publication.
Zoom in: CVS and Walgreens have said they aren't offering patients updated shots in Virginia without a prescription — even if they're eligible and covered by insurance.
- For families without a regular doctor or pediatrician, that could mean waiting longer or skipping them altogether.
- An Axios review found that none are available via Kroger's website. The company didn't return Axios' request for comment.
By the numbers: Virginia had more than 4,000 positive COVID tests last week, the highest number recorded since February.
- VDH has also seen a rise in COVID outbreaks in long-term care facilities and K-12 settings, though overall rates remain lower than in past years at this time.
- In the Richmond area, COVID vaccination rates are averaging about 13% but are lower for those under 50, per VDH data.
What we're watching: The CDC is expected to weigh in soon with its recommendations, which can affect whether insurers will pay for vaccines or whether patients will need to pay out of pocket for them.
Go deeper: What insurers are saying