Data: Common Health Coalition and Your Local Epidemiologist; Note: Actions include legislative changes, executive orders and pharmacy board directives; Map: Axios Visuals
Sick szn is approaching ā and many are feeling confused about COVID vaccine protocol across the DMV.
Why it matters: Some states are making their own vaccine rules to bypass Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy's vaccine restrictions.
State of play: Anyone in D.C. over the age of 3 can get the vaccine without a prescription, thanks to an emergency bill passed last week by the D.C. Council that lasts for 90 days.
In Virginia: Anyone 65 and older can get the vaccine without a prescription, as well as those between 18 and 64 years old with at least one underlying condition.
In Maryland: Health care providers can give the vaccine to anyone 6 months and older, while it's 3 years and older for pharmacists ā no prescription necessary.
Zoom in: The wastewater viral activity for COVID in D.C., Maryland and Virginia is currently high, per the CDC's latest data.