PORTLAND, Ore. – One of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains has reversed its policy on COVID-19 vaccinations in Oregon, announcing that patients will now need a prescription from an authorized provider to receive the shot. The decision by CVS Pharmacy has fueled confusion and frustration as state officials weigh options to safeguard access amid shifting federal guidance and political turmoil.
From Routine Booster to Prescription-Only
For the past several years, COVID boosters have been offered each fall alongside flu shots, available to most patients without added steps. But recent changes by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have disrupted that routine.
In August, the FDA issued new guidance limiting updated vaccines to adults 65 and older or people with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe illness. That move left pharmacies and state health agencies scrambling to determine what was allowed and what required a prescription.
Initially, CVS said it was still offering vaccines in Oregon without a prescription, although it acknowledged some appointments could be canceled as rules were clarified. The chain even promoted that access as recently as last week, when the governors of Oregon, Washington, and California announced a West Coast Health Alliance intended to protect vaccine availability.
Policy Reversal
By Tuesday, however, CVS had changed course.
“After reviewing clarifying guidance issued last week, we’re only offering updated COVID-19 vaccinations to patients who present a prescription from an authorized prescriber,” CVS spokesperson Amy Thibault said in a statement. “As a result, appointments cannot currently be scheduled online in Oregon. Patients can walk in to any CVS Pharmacy location, present a prescription and receive the vaccination.”
The reversal effectively halts widespread vaccine access in Oregon until state or federal leaders act.
State Response and Uncertainty
The Oregon Board of Pharmacy confirmed Friday that prescriptions would be required under current federal rules. The agency said it expects more clarity after the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets September 18–19, its first session since the FDA issued its new restrictions.
Gov. Tina Kotek is reportedly considering options to restore access, including issuing a standing order that would allow anyone 6 months and older to receive the vaccine without a prescription. Washington already has such an order in place.
Still, Kotek’s office has not announced a decision, and until then, pharmacies must follow current guidelines.
Politics and Policy Collide
The uncertainty stems partly from political changes at the federal level. In June, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy dismissed all members of ACIP, raising concerns about the committee’s independence. According to reporting by The Washington Post, Kennedy is weighing whether to appoint critics of COVID-19 vaccines to the panel.
That political backdrop has left states like Oregon waiting for guidance that may be delayed or altered by shifting federal priorities.
Calls for Swift Action
Some state leaders argue Oregon cannot afford to wait. State Sen. Lisa Reynolds, D-Portland, a pediatrician, urged Kotek to act quickly rather than delay until ACIP’s September meeting.
“Waiting until the ACIP meeting will cause unnecessary delays,” Reynolds said in a statement. “And don’t we expect the ACIP recommendations to mirror the FDA approval?”
Reynolds and other advocates are pushing for a standing order similar to Washington’s, which would guarantee broad access without requiring patients to obtain a prescription first.
What’s Next
For now, Oregonians seeking COVID boosters at CVS face a new hurdle: they must first secure a prescription, either from their primary care provider or another authorized prescriber. Other pharmacies may follow suit unless state or federal authorities act to broaden access.
The Board of Pharmacy has pledged to update providers and the public following the ACIP meeting later this month. Until then, Oregon patients — particularly those under 65 without underlying conditions — may face limited options for vaccination.
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