Governor Hochul Signs Executive Order to Expand COVID Vaccine Access Amid Federal Uncertainty

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed an Executive Order aimed at expanding access to COVID-19 vaccines across New York State, citing concerns over federal actions that have created uncertainty around vaccine availability. The order comes as the 2025–26 COVID vaccine rollout faces delays due to federal guidance disruptions.

The Executive Order, which will remain in effect for at least 30 days, allows pharmacists to administer COVID vaccines to patients as young as three years old. It also authorizes pharmacists to prescribe and order COVID vaccines themselves, expanding access to children, pregnant people, and healthy adults under 65 who might otherwise face restrictions. Physicians and nurse practitioners can now issue patient-specific or non-patient-specific vaccine orders to pharmacists.

“This Executive Order ensures that New Yorkers can continue to receive vaccines close to home, from trusted providers in their communities,” Governor Hochul said. “In the absence of federal leadership, we must do everything we can to protect the health of our families and communities.”

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald emphasized the importance of maintaining vaccine access. “Vaccination remains one of the most effective tools to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID,” he said. “This order restores pharmacies as a vital part of our vaccination network and sets up a smoother transition to the updated 2025–26 vaccine.”

The move comes after the federal government pulled over $500 million in mRNA vaccine funding and replaced a majority of members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) with individuals opposed to vaccination. These changes left pharmacies without updated guidance for the new COVID vaccine, prompting some to restrict access for certain populations.

The Governor’s Executive Order addresses these gaps by:

Allowing physicians and nurse practitioners to prescribe COVID vaccines for patients age three and older.

Authorizing pharmacists to administer COVID vaccines to patients age three and older.

Permitting pharmacists, for the first time, to prescribe COVID vaccines directly.

To support the expanded access, Commissioner McDonald will issue a statewide standing order for the COVID vaccine and additional guidance for pharmacists and other healthcare providers in the coming days.

The Executive Order is also part of a broader strategy by Governor Hochul to ensure long-term access to vaccines in New York. The Governor says she plans to work with the state Legislature to develop a permanent solution covering vaccine administration, school immunization schedules, and insurance coverage.

New York is coordinating these efforts with a regional multi-state public health collaboration in the Northeast, aimed at strengthening vaccination programs, disease surveillance, and emergency preparedness across the region.

Image: Governor Kathy Hochul at a July 2025 cabinet meeting. (Credit: Office of Governor Kathy Hochul Facebook page)