Governor issues executive actions over access to COVID vaccines – NBC Connecticut

The governor has issued executive actions that his office said would allow Connecticut residents who want COVID vaccines to be able to get them and “that coverage under state-regulated health insurance policies remains uninterrupted.”

This comes at a time when new federal guidance has raised questions about who will be eligible for the vaccines.

Gov. Ned Lamont issued executive actions on Wednesday.

His office said the state Department of Public Health is recommending that children 6 months and older receive the vaccine, as well as adults of all ages.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has OK’d new shots for adults 65 and older and younger adults who a health condition that makes them vulnerable to severe COVID-19.

“As uncertainty in Washington continues, our administration is doing everything we can to ensure the residents of Connecticut have access to the health care they need to stay safe,” Lamont said in a statement. “Making vaccines accessible is grounded in health and safety, which is too important to leave to the whims of a political agenda. Vaccines have been proven for many decades to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death, and patients and their doctors should be able to decide what is the best course of treatment for themselves. We will not allow gridlock in Washington to put the people of our state at risk.”

The state Department of Public Health has released interim guidance for the 2025-2026 season, which the governor said is similar to those issued in previous years, recommending that children 6 months and older receive the vaccine, as well as adults of all ages.

“We cannot predict which respiratory viral infection will be most prevalent this season, but we can protect our families against them and potential severe complications by getting vaccinated this fall,” Department of Public Health Commissioner Juthani said in a statement. “I am currently assembling an advisory committee to work with me on matters relating to recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the federal Food and Drug Administration using evidence-based data from peer-reviewed literature and studies. We are in the process of scheduling our first meeting for this month. I am looking forward to discussing with this group the ongoing changes at the federal level regarding vaccines and other public health recommendations to ensure that we continue to provide the best care and guidance to the people of Connecticut.”

And the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is providing pharmacists with guidance on distribution of vaccines and says pharmacists may continue to order, prescribe, and administer FDA-approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccines using the most recent CDC administration instructions until the later of:

30 days from issuance of DCP’s notice, or the vaccine’s inclusion on the CDC Adult Immunization Schedule.

“While federal actions restrict eligibility for adults ages 18 to 65 with no underlying medical conditions, prescribers and pharmacists may order, prescribe, and administer the COVID-19 vaccine to individuals who fall outside the eligibility criteria authorized by the FDA, consistent with “off-label” use,” according to the statement from the governor’s office.  

“Here in Connecticut, pharmacists played a critical role in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, and that will continue this fall as patients seek protection against the most current strains of the virus,” DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli said in a statement. “Pharmacists are trusted frontline healthcare workers who are often the first point of contact for patients seeking vaccination. While federal vaccine schedules are in flux, we have issued interim guidance to provide clarity and consistency for our pharmacists administering COVID-19 vaccines.”

And the Connecticut Insurance Department has issued a bulletin issued to all health insurers and health care centers in Connecticut that affirms that the state Department of Public Health interim guidance for the 2025-2026 season aligns with existing state law requiring immunization coverage in Connecticut-issued health insurance policies.

The governor’s office said, based the current guidance from the Department of Public Health and the medical academies, there will be no change to existing COVID-19 immunization coverage in Connecticut-issued insurance policies, regardless of the CDC’s position.

“This bulletin confirms that based on current DPH guidance, there will be no change to existing COVID-19 immunization coverage in Connecticut-issued insurance policies,” CID Commissioner Andrew Mais said.

The governor’s office said pharmacists in Connecticut may continue to order, prescribe, and administer FDA-approved/authorized COVID-19 vaccines to adults using the most recent CDC administration instructions until the later of 30 days from DCP’s notice or the vaccine’s inclusion on the CDC Adult Immunization Schedule.

Pharmacists can also continue to vaccinate pursuant to a prescriber’s verbal or written prescription, and prescribers may order the vaccine consistent with FDA labeling and prevailing clinical recommendations. Vaccine supply and guidance for children will continue through the Connecticut Vaccine Program and medical homes.

The governor’s office said the administration is in frequent communication with public health officials from regional states in the Northeast to coordinate on a collaborative approach to these issues and the Lamont administration is researching potential legislative changes that might be needed within state statutes to “ensure continued stability in the future, regardless of any potential shifts in positions from the federal government.”

You can learn more at www.easyvax.com or speak with their local pharmacy or medical provider.