New York Governor Kathy Hochul Issues Executive Order to Override Trump Administration's COVID Vaccine Limits

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order allowing pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to anyone who wants a shot, bypassing the Trump administration's limits. The order is effective for 30 days and aims to countermand the FDA's new restrictions, which have been criticized for being too narrow. Other Democratic-led states, including California, Oregon, and Washington, have also taken steps to countermand the Trump administration's limits.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order that allows pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to anyone over 3 years old without a prescription. The order, which is set to be effective for 30 days, aims to countermand recent restrictions imposed by the federal government, which have been criticized for being too narrow [2].

The executive order comes amidst ongoing debates over federal vaccine policies and the leadership changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Governor Hochul's move is part of a broader trend among Democratic-led states, including California, Oregon, and Washington, to challenge the Trump administration's limits on vaccination access [2].

The executive order will enable pharmacists to provide COVID-19 vaccines to a broader population, potentially increasing vaccination rates and addressing public health concerns. This move follows a series of high-profile firings and resignations at the CDC, including the removal of Susan Monarez, who refused to pre-approve recommendations from a vaccine advisory panel filled with individuals with anti-vaccine rhetoric [2].

The order is designed to circumvent new vaccine limits put in place by the federal government last week, which required a prescription for the latest COVID-19 shots. Governor Hochul's spokesperson emphasized that the order is a response to "Washington Republicans playing politics with public health," allowing New Yorkers to make their own healthcare decisions and access care from trusted community providers [2].

This executive order is part of a larger effort by Democratic-led states to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines, following recent FDA approvals for updated Moderna vaccines targeting the LP.8.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2. These vaccines are expected to be available immediately and are approved for high-risk individuals aged 6 months to 64 years and all adults over 65 [1].

The approval of Moderna's updated COVID-19 vaccines represents a significant regulatory milestone for the company, enhancing its revenue potential and positioning it to address the evolving COVID-19 landscape. While specific financial projections are not provided, the approval should contribute to Moderna's revenue stream, particularly important as the company works to diversify beyond its initial COVID-19 success [1].

References:
[1] https://indianexpress.com/article/world/i-want-the-answer-and-i-want-it-now-trump-calls-on-pharma-companies-to-justify-success-of-covid-drugs-10224401/
[2] https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/covid-vaccine-kathy-hochul-executive-order/