Virginia prescription requirement for updated COVID vaccine stirs up confusion, concerns over access

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The rollout for updated COVID-19 vaccines looks much different this year. Vaccine requirements have been shifting across the country, including here in Virginia, leaving some people unsure of how to get protected.

New federal guidelines have narrowed the qualifications for the 2025-26 vaccine, while state pharmacy laws and shifting policies are adding a layer of confusion.

Many residents rely on retail pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens for easy access to the vaccine. But instead of a convenient walk-in appointment, some were turned around and told they would need a prescription to get the shot. Jim Dalton, 72, said the the new requirement caught him off guard.

"Any time you change something, it's going to be confusion," Dalton said. "Like me, I didn't even hear about it. And then my other question is, 'why is the prescription necessary?'"

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the updated COVID-19 vaccines only for people 65 and older or those with a medical condition that puts them at higher risk.

Even for those who qualify, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) explained that state law requires pharmacists to either work under a doctor’s order or follow the state’s pharmacy protocols. Those protocols reference the CDC’s immunization schedule.

According to the VDH, the schedule has not yet been updated with the new vaccine. As a result, many pharmacies require prescriptions to stay in compliance.

For Dalton, what would've been a quick trip now requires an extra step.

“Now that you’ve told me this, I would know that I would go through my doctor as opposed to just walking in,” he said. “There are so many vaccines that you can get right there.”

That extra step could make a big difference for people at the highest risk. Dr. Gonzalo Bearman, chief of infectious diseases at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health, said delaying access isn’t just inconvenient; it could be dangerous.

“If you’re at high risk, you should have the vaccine available as readily and freely as possible,” Bearman said. “Significant delays in vaccination will increase the risk of not only infection, but also severe infection, which can lead to hospitalization and even death.”

Pharmacies are interpreting the rules differently. CVS told 8News a prescription is required to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine in Virginia. Walgreens said that patients who qualify do not need a prescription.

Bearman advised people to reach out to their healthcare providers if they’re unsure.

“My recommendation is to reach out to your primary care provider or your specialist or infectious disease specialist, if you have access to one, to get your questions answered,” he said. “They can help you in the shared decision making.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is set to meet Sept. 18 and Sept. 19 and could vote on the updated COVID-19 vaccines. If approved, patients would be able to get the shot without a prescription, regardless of which pharmacy they visit.

A spokesperson for CVS Health provided the following statement:

"State pharmacy laws govern where we can currently vaccinate. Based on FDA approval, we currently can offer COVID-19 vaccines in the following states: AK, AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NE, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, PA, OH, OK, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, WA, WI, and WY. Prescriptions are not needed. Once ACIP acts on the updated COVID-19 vaccines or states take additional action to authorize pharmacy dispensing prior to ACIP recommendations, we’ll be able to offer the FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines – without a prescription – in the remaining states. Right now, we can offer the updated COVID-19 vaccines to patients, prior to ACIP action, if they present an authorized prescriber’s prescription. Those states are AZ, DC, FL, GA, LA, ME, NC, OR, UT, VA, WV. Appointments can be scheduled online via CVS.com, through the CVS Health app, or patients can walk into our pharmacies and clinics."

A spokesperson for Walgreens provided the following statement:

"I can confirm that 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccines are now available at Walgreens in Virginia. Eligible patients do not need a prescription for the vaccine. In accordance with FDA approval, we offer the vaccine to all adults in Virginia ages 65 years and older, as well as to individuals under 65 who are at higher risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19, as determined by the CDC. Patients may self-attest to their qualifying condition—no proof or additional documentation is required. We encourage anyone with questions about their eligibility or personal risk factors to speak directly with our pharmacists, who are available to provide guidance and support.  Patients can review their vaccine eligibility and schedule their vaccines by speaking directly with their local Walgreens pharmacists, visiting Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine, using the Walgreens app, calling 1-800-WALGREEN or texting FLU to 66879."