New York Executive Order Expands Pharmacist Authority for COVID-19 Vaccination

On September 5, 2025, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order allowing pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines to those who want them.

Just the Facts

This action followed several developments over the preceding months that affected access to the vaccine. Typically, the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) makes recommendations for vaccines, which are then used for standing orders for immunization in New York. ACIP has not issued any guidance for the current year’s COVID-19 vaccine and is not scheduled to meet until later in September.

In addition, the federal government withdrew over $500 million in mRNA vaccine funding during the summer of 2025, creating uncertainty about access. Without federal guidance, pharmacies in New York began restricting access, particularly for individuals younger than 65 years with no underlying conditions.

Hochul Acts

To address this, Governor Hochul declared a 30-day statewide emergency and expanded who can prescribe and administer COVID-19 vaccines. For the first time, pharmacists are permitted to prescribe COVID-19 vaccines. Specifically, the executive order authorizes the following:

• Physicians and nurse practitioners may prescribe and order COVID-19 vaccines administered by pharmacists to patients aged 3 years and older.

• Pharmacists may administer COVID-19 vaccines to patients aged 3 years and older.

• Pharmacists may now prescribe and order COVID-19 vaccines for patients aged 3 years and older.

What This Means

New Yorkers may now access COVID-19 vaccines through a pharmacist without first obtaining a prescription from a physician.

Other states, including Massachusetts, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico, are also acting to ensure access despite federal restrictions. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey directed health insurers in the state to continue covering the vaccine and issued an order allowing pharmacies to continue providing the vaccine to anyone older than 5 years. Pennsylvania’s Board of Pharmacy held a special meeting to vote to bypass federal vaccine recommendations and allow pharmacists to continue administering COVID-19 vaccines.

References

Governor Hochul signs executive order expanding access to vaccines amid uncertainty in Washington. Press release. New York State. Published September 5, 2025. Accessed September 10, 2025. https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-signs-executive-order-expanding-access-vaccines-amid-uncertainty-washington

Chatlani S. States break with FDA restrictions on COVID vaccines, ensuring broader access. Stateline. Published September 5, 2025. Accessed September 10, 2025. https://stateline.org/2025/09/05/states-break-with-fda-restrictions-on-covid-vaccines-ensuring-broader-access/