Email from NYS Senate Accessing the Updated Vaccines   Dear Neighbor, I am aware that there are a lot of questions and concerns about accessing the updated 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines. To provide a quick refresher, the standard vaccine approval process is as follows: The FDA approves use of the COVID-19 vaccine The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets and issues vaccine recommendations The CDC approves use of the COVID-19 vaccine Pharmacies and health care facilities order the vaccine and administer vaccinations New York State-regulated insurance companies provide coverage of COVID-19 vaccinations, which is tied to ACIP recommendations On August 27th, the FDA approved the updated Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines, but unlike previous years, the approval placed restrictions on who is eligible for the vaccines: people who are at high risk of severe health outcomes, including individuals 65 and above, are eligible. Moderna's mRNA vaccine is approved for individuals age 6 months and older, Pfizer's mRNA vaccine is approved for those age 5 and above, and Novavax's protein-based vaccine is approved for those age 12 and older. Physicians, epidemiologists, and leading medical organizations have spoken out against the FDA's approval restrictions and issued formal recommendations that all children and adults should have an updated 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccination. Medical professionals are concerned about the FDA's approval restrictions and pending ACIP recommendations due to the destructive actions that Secretary Kennedy has been taking, including removing all 17 sitting members of the ACIP committee in June and replacing them with a small group of health care professionals who are skeptical of vaccines, and firing the highly-qualified CDC Director, which led to four other top staff resigning. ACIP has not convened since FDA approval was issued, which is further disrupting the process and making it more difficult to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine. The next ACIP meeting is scheduled for September 18-19 and COVID-19 vaccines are on the agenda. It is unclear whether ACIP recommendations will align with the FDA's approval, or if additional restrictions will be placed on vaccine eligibility. It is also possible that a vote on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations will be delayed due to the controversy surrounding Secretary Kennedy firing the sitting members of the ACIP committee. I am very pleased to share that in order to protect vaccine access and public health, Governor Hochul issued an Executive Order (EO) on September 5th, permitting pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to children and adults without a prescription, whether or not they are at high risk of severe health outcomes. The EO will be in place for 30 days and can be extended. This is not a mandate, however. A pharmacist may require a prescription or even refuse to administer the vaccination altogether. It may be necessary, therefore, to contact more than one pharmacy in order to get an appointment for the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Updated vaccines are currently available at most CVS, Walgreens, and independent pharmacies. Vaccine access for many New Yorkers is also contingent upon the vaccination being covered by health insurance. My office has been informed that Medicare is providing coverage of the vaccination, but it is unclear whether other health insurance plans will do so as well before ACIP recommendations are issued. On September 10th, the New York State Department of Financial Services issued guidance, strongly encouraging state-regulated health insurance plans to continue providing coverage of the vaccination. Since this is not a mandate, and to avoid any surprise out-of-pocket expenses, please call your insurance provider before getting the vaccination to confirm whether it will be covered. After the ACIP committee meets next week, there may be new updates to share. In the meantime, you and your family can go to a local pharmacy and get the updated 2025-2026 Moderna, Pfizer, or Novavax COVID-19 vaccination to stay protected against hospitalization and severe health outcomes. I am also providing the following resources: Click here to view ACIP meeting details (information will be posted closer to September 18th) and to watch the meeting online Click here to view the NYC Health Department's COVID-19 website Click here to view the NYS Health Department's COVID-19 website Click here to view the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) fall immunization recommendations Click here to view the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) vaccination recommendations Click here to view the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) updated maternal immunization guidance for COVID-19 , influenza, and RSV If you have any questions about selecting a vaccine, or when to get vaccinated, please consult with your physician or pediatrician. Liz Krueger State Senator District Office: 211 East 43rd Street, Suite 2000 | New York, NY 10017 | (212) 490-9535 | Fax: (212) 499-2558 Albany Office: Capitol Building, Room 416 | Albany, NY 12247 | (518) 455-2297 | Fax: (518) 426-6874 Email: [email protected] | On the Web: krueger.nysenate.gov   Senator Liz Krueger | 211 E 43rd St #2000 | New York, NY 10017 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice