Protect Public Health: End Pharmacy Barriers to COVID Shots Now

CVS and Walgreens are now restricting access to COVID-19 vaccines, requiring prescriptions in 13 states and stopping availability completely in three. This comes after direction from HHS Secretary RFK Jr., who dismantled the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel and forced out career experts. Pharmacies are left with conflicting rules, and families face unnecessary barriers to lifesaving protection at a time when COVID cases are rising. Public health experts warn this decision will cost lives. Dr. Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota said, “The roadblocks are so significant, it almost guarantees most people won’t” get vaccinated. When access is restricted, vaccination rates drop. That means more infections, more hospitalizations, and more preventable deaths. These changes do not improve safety. They only create confusion and put vulnerable Americans at greater risk. Congress must act. Reverse these restrictions immediately. Restore the independent CDC panel that ensures vaccine policy is based on science, not politics. And remove RFK Jr. from leadership before more lives are lost. Science saves lives. Lies and chaos do not.