Pharmacies Scale Back COVID Vaccines as FDA Ends Emergency Use [WATCH]

CVS and Walgreens are reducing access to updated COVID-19 vaccines in multiple states after federal regulators narrowed eligibility to seniors and high-risk groups.

CVS confirmed it has halted distribution in three states—Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Mexico—and imposed restrictions in 13 others, along with the District of Columbia.

“Based on the current regulatory environment, CVS has completely stopped offering the shots in three states – Massachusetts, Nevada and New Mexico – and has limited access in 13 others as well as the District of Columbia,” CVS Health spokesperson Tara Burke said.

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The states where CVS has limited vaccine access include Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Burke added, “We’ll administer FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines in states where legally permitted at CVS Pharmacy and/or MinuteClinic to meet our patients’ needs.”

Walgreens issued a similar statement, noting it is “prepared to offer the vaccine in states where we are able to do so,” according to a report from CBS News.

In areas with restrictions, high-risk individuals may still receive updated boosters if they obtain prescriptions from authorized providers.

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The policy changes follow actions taken this week by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

On Wednesday, the FDA ended emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines and transitioned them to full market approval with updated guidelines.

Under the new rules, the updated vaccines are only approved for seniors and those with underlying medical conditions that increase the risk of severe illness.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the regulatory shift in a post on X.

He wrote, “I promised 4 things: 1. to end covid vaccine mandates; 2. to keep vaccines available to people who want them, especially the vulnerable; 3. to demand placebo-controlled trials from companies; 4. to end the emergency.”

“In a series of FDA actions today we accomplished all four goals,” Kennedy continued.

“The American people demanded science, safety, and common sense. This framework delivers all three.”

I promised 4 things:

1. to end covid vaccine mandates.

2. to keep vaccines available to people who want them, especially the vulnerable.

3. to demand placebo-controlled trials from companies.

4. to end the emergency.

In a series of FDA actions today we accomplished…

— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) August 27, 2025

The new federal guidelines represent a significant change in vaccine distribution compared to the emergency phase of the pandemic.

Pharmacies and clinics across the country are now adjusting to the FDA’s revised framework, which places a stronger focus on protecting seniors and individuals with health conditions while scaling back widespread access to the vaccines.

Both CVS and Walgreens have said they will continue to administer the vaccines in compliance with the updated regulations where allowed by state law.

High-risk patients in states with restrictions are advised to consult their physicians to obtain prescriptions if they wish to receive booster doses under the new FDA-authorized framework.

The announcement comes as demand for COVID-19 vaccines has already declined nationwide, and the Biden-Harris administration’s earlier vaccine mandates have been rolled back.

The changes highlight the federal government’s shift from emergency response measures to long-term regulatory oversight in managing the availability and administration of COVID-19 vaccines.