The Virginia Department of Health issued an order late Thursday that spells out who’s eligible to get the new COVID-19 vaccine without a prescription, and how those who don’t meet the conditions can get one.
The order was signed by Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. Karen Shelton as concern and complaints about access to the vaccine has been growing in recent days.
The statewide order says retail pharmacies can administer the 2025-26 COVID vaccine without a prescription to Virginians in two categories: those 65 and older, and those between the ages of 18 and 64 who have least one underlying medical condition. Those who don’t meet the requirements can still get the vaccine if they get a prescription.
“We realize this has been top of mind for many Virginians in the past several days, and we are resolved to increase access to the updated formulation of the COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible Virginians,” Shelton said in a statement Thursday.
The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press reported this week that Sentara Health had advised its doctors to avoid writing prescriptions for the latest COVID-19 vaccine, citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s pending decision on the 2025-26 version. Several Sentara patients said their doctors would not give them a prescription for the vaccine over the last week, despite being over 65 or having an underlying medical condition.
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet Sept. 18-19, and is expected to vote on the updated COVID-19 vaccines then. The CDC director, or secretary of health and human services, is then authorized to endorse or approve the recommendation with or without changes, according to Shelton’s statement.
During a news conference Thursday, Dr. Michael Hooper, chief medical and academic officer for Sentara Health, said changes in FDA guidance for the new vaccine — and the gap between FDA approval and the upcoming CDC advisory committee meeting — caused this year’s immunizations to become available without updated recommendations or schedules.
“This disconnect led Sentara Medical Group leadership to issue unclear guidance that missed the mark in how we should be approaching vaccination in these uncertain times,” Hooper said in a statement issued after the meeting.
Sentara’s current guidance says its doctors can write prescriptions for the vaccines based on their clinical judgment, which includes considering the risks and benefits of them receiving it. Sentara facilities equipped to administer the vaccine will be allowed to give it to patients without a prescription once “clear guidance” is provided by the CDC, and the protocols and orders can be updated, Hooper said.
“We support our (physicians’) medical judgement in dealing with the needs of their individual patients and are not directing that they prevent appropriate patients from receiving the vaccine,” the doctor said. “We recognize the inconvenience this may cause for some patients. We are working daily to ensure we provide safe and effective medical care.”
Jane Harper, jane.harper@pilotonline.com
