Arizonans now able to get updated COVID-19 shots at pharmacies without a prescription

With a standing prescription from the Arizona Department of Health Services, pharmacists in the state now have the green light to give updated COVID-19 vaccines without requiring a prescription.

The standing prescription came about as a result of an executive order issued Sept. 11 by Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, who said she wanted to broaden access to the new vaccines after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration narrowed the definition of who would be eligible for them.

The FDA eligibility was restricted to people over the age of 65 and those younger than 65 with an underlying health condition.

Want Arizona news in your inbox each morning? Sign up for our free newsletter.

The FDA’s updated parameters, combined with a lack of direction from a federal advisory committee on vaccines that didn’t meet until Sept. 18 and 19, created confusion and barriers to getting the vaccine across the country, including in Arizona where many state residents tried getting their vaccinations at local pharmacies, only to be told they needed a prescription.

Hobbs’ executive order, which broadens access to the vaccine to Arizonans ages 6 months and older, did not take effect right away since a state standing order was required, as was an emergency rulemaking process that took effect Sept. 22 following approval from Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes.

The state health department issued its standing order Sept. 19 and Kam Gandhi, executive director of the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy, said pharmacists were notified of the update Sept. 22.

Pharmacists give COVID-19 vaccines to people ages 6 years and older, and younger children can get their vaccines from other health care providers.

Banner Health expected to issue COVID-19 shot guidance soon

What all of that means is that Arizonans, regardless of age or health status, should be able to get their updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2025-26 season at pharmacies without needing a prescription, and both government and commercial health insurance plans will likely pay for it.

Scheduling portals at major pharmacies may take some time to catch up with the changes, but Arizonans scheduling an appointment through a portal can say “yes” to their eligibility status for the COVID-19 vaccine because of the standing prescription order.

A few barriers have yet to be cleared up, however. Banner Health, which is the state’s largest health care system, had not been issuing prescriptions for the COVID-19 vaccine and had not been administering the vaccine either. Banner officials had said they were waiting for the outcome of the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

ACIP met Sept. 18 and 19 and voted to uphold the FDA COVID-19 vaccine parameters, but also allow COVID-19 vaccines for other groups through “shared decision making” with health providers and those health providers may include pharmacists. Once the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention upholds the ACIP recommendation, which it was expected to do, much broader access to the vaccines will be available nationwide.

MORE: Fighting a health insurance denial? Here are 7 tips to help

The nonprofit health system would be making recommendations about the updated shot “the week of Sept. 22 that are science-backed and tailored to meet individual patient needs, Banner Health’s Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Marjorie Bessel said in an emailed statement to The Arizona Republic Sept. 9.

As of Sept. 23, Banner had not provided a public statement about how they will proceed with the vaccines.

In another vaccine barrier to patients, some providers don’t have supplies of the vaccine yet, and while commercial insurers have said they will cover the costs of the vaccine until the end of 2026, adults without insurance will either have to pay cash or find a free clinic if they want the shot.

Maricopa County Department of Public Health immunization clinics will be making COVID-19 vaccines available to children once the department receives a supply through the federal Vaccines For Children program, department spokesperson Courtney Kreuzwiesner wrote in an email.

As with retail pharmacies, the standing order from the state health department allows kids to get the COVID shot at county clinics without a prescription, Kreuzwiesner wrote. Adults will not be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine at Maricopa County clinics, however. The health department was instead directing adults to their health care provider or a retail pharmacy.

Reach health care reporter Stephanie Innes at [email protected] or follow her on X: @stephanieinnes.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizonans now able to get updated COVID-19 shots at pharmacies without a prescription

Reporting by Stephanie Innes, Arizona Republic / Arizona Republic