For Pennsylvanians hoping to roll up their sleeves for a COVID-19 vaccine this fall, the process has become a maze of shifting rules, new federal restrictions, and mounting uncertainty. Pharmacies across the state, including major chains like CVS and Walgreens, have paused the administration of updated COVID-19 vaccines, citing the need for clearer guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or new rules from the state. As of early September 2025, the latest COVID-19 vaccines for the 2025-26 season have technically been approved, but actually getting a shot is anything but straightforward for many residents.
According to Pennsylvania Capital-Star, the nation’s largest pharmacy chains have severely restricted access to the seasonal vaccines in Pennsylvania and other states, following a flurry of changes at the federal level. Independent and small chain pharmacies are largely following suit. "The easiest thing to tell you is COVID vaccines are on pause until we have better clarification," said John DeJames, president of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association. DeJames emphasized, however, that there’s no need for panic—many pharmacies haven’t even received shipments of the latest vaccines yet, and the optimal time for vaccination is generally around October. "In my opinion, instead of rushing to judgement, let’s wait and see how this pans out," he advised.
The current bottleneck stems from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which is responsible for recommending when and to whom pharmacists can administer vaccines. The committee is scheduled to meet in mid-September, but until it issues a formal recommendation, pharmacies in Pennsylvania are largely unable to proceed. The uncertainty has been compounded by recent shakeups at the CDC, including the firing of its director, Susan Monarez, and the controversial appointment of vaccine skeptics to key positions by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In June, Kennedy replaced all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, a move he described as an effort to restore public trust.
These changes have left state officials and pharmacists on edge. According to Los Angeles Times, the FDA, for the first time, has restricted COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to at-risk Americans—those 65 and older, or younger individuals with health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, smoking, pregnancy, or other diseases that could increase the severity of a COVID-19 infection. Conditions considered high risk also include heart disease, substance use disorder, mental health conditions, physical inactivity, and high blood pressure. For healthy people under 65, getting vaccinated may now require a prescription from a healthcare provider, a significant shift from previous years when the vaccine was broadly available to anyone six months and older.
The patchwork of state laws further complicates matters. CVS, for example, can offer FDA-authorized vaccinations without prescriptions in some states, but in Pennsylvania and others, a prescription is now required for those who don’t meet the federal criteria. Walgreens’ policy is similar, offering vaccines to all adults aged 65 and older and to individuals under 65 who are at higher risk, as determined by the CDC. Both pharmacy chains require individuals to attest to their eligibility during the appointment scheduling process. If a person cannot confirm a qualifying condition, they may be told they’re ineligible for vaccination at the pharmacy and advised to consult a healthcare provider for next steps.
For many younger, healthier people, this new system presents a significant barrier. As Los Angeles Times reported, experts like Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at UC San Francisco, have criticized the new federal guidance as a "barrier" that will make it harder for those without regular healthcare providers to get vaccinated. The Infectious Diseases Society of America went further, condemning the guidance as something that "completely contradicts the evidence base, severely undermines trust in science-driven policy and dangerously limits vaccine access, removing millions of Americans' choice to be protected and increasing the risk of severe outcomes from COVID."
Here in Pennsylvania, the uncertainty has prompted a flurry of legislative and regulatory activity. State Rep. Arvind Venkat, an emergency physician and lawmaker, voiced concern over the politicization of vaccination recommendations under Kennedy’s health department. "Secretary Kennedy has made up his mind that vaccines are harmful," Venkat told Pennsylvania Capital-Star. "He doesn’t seem to be willing to accept any evidence—very robust evidence—that that is simply not the case." Venkat and other Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill to require private insurance to cover vaccines recommended by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, regardless of federal guidance. Venkat is also pushing for Governor Josh Shapiro and the legislature to work together to ensure pharmacies can administer the shots, even if that means bypassing the CDC’s recommendations.
Governor Shapiro has made his displeasure with the federal changes clear. On August 28, he posted on social media, "The Trump Administration’s outrageous decision to limit access to the COVID vaccine is an affront to Pennsylvanians’ personal freedom and parental rights. My Administration is currently reviewing all of our options to ensure Pennsylvanians have access to the health care they want and will have more to say soon." While Shapiro has not committed to executive action, his administration is actively exploring ways to ensure vaccine access for Pennsylvanians.
Pharmacists are also seeking solutions. Marc Ost, co-owner of Eric’s RX Shoppe in Montgomery County, described the situation as frustrating: "We’ve had a lot of patients come into the store. We’ve had a lot of patients call wondering when they can get the new vaccine, or when we’ll have it in stock. The frustrating part has been the lack of answers we can give patients." The Pennsylvania Pharmacy Association has formally urged the State Board of Pharmacy to consider guidance from other competent authorities—such as the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists—rather than relying solely on the CDC. Their aim is to avoid disruptions for patients seeking vaccines at their local pharmacies.
The debate over who should receive the COVID-19 vaccine extends to children and pregnant women. In May 2025, the CDC stopped recommending COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women, but other medical groups, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics, continue to recommend vaccination for these populations. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, for instance, advises that people "receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine or 'booster' at any point during pregnancy, when planning to become pregnant, in the postpartum period, or when lactating," citing the protection vaccination offers to both mothers and infants.
Meanwhile, health systems like Kaiser Permanente are still reviewing the details of the FDA’s approval and waiting for the CDC’s clinical guidance, expected later in September. Kaiser spokesperson Terry Kanakri said, "Vaccination continues to be one of the safest and most effective ways to protect against illness and reduce the severity of illness from COVID." Kaiser remains committed to making the 2025–26 COVID vaccine available at no cost to children and adults.
As the CDC’s advisory committee prepares to meet, and as state officials, pharmacists, and medical groups scramble to fill the policy vacuum, Pennsylvanians are left in limbo. The hope is that, soon enough, clarity will return—and with it, the ability for everyone who wants a COVID-19 vaccine to get one, without unnecessary hurdles or confusion.
