As COVID-19 cases climb once again across the United States, seniors and high-risk individuals are finding it increasingly difficult to get vaccinated. Recent policy changes at the federal level have left pharmacies confused, patients frustrated, and public health experts concerned about the consequences.
A Couple Left in Limbo
For Michael Donnelly, 68, and his wife Karen, 74, a trip to their neighborhood pharmacy in Queens was supposed to be simple. They had planned to receive booster shots ahead of a long-awaited family reunion. Instead, they were turned away.
“The pharmacist told us we needed a prescription,” Donnelly recalled. “I’ve been getting vaccines for years without anything like that. It just doesn’t make sense. We’re seniors—we should be first in line, not blocked by red tape.”
The Donnellys’ experience reflects a growing number of similar stories across the country. Older adults, once prioritized in vaccine rollouts, now face new hurdles that complicate access just as infections rise.
New Rules, More Confusion
Under the direction of Health and Human Services Secretary Richard Callahan, a longtime skeptic of widespread vaccination, eligibility rules have shifted. The Food and Drug Administration currently authorizes updated COVID-19 vaccines only for those over 65 or for younger people with underlying medical conditions.
But the practical effect is messy. People under 65 often must either obtain a doctor’s note or verbally attest to a health condition at the pharmacy counter. Even seniors within the approved group can find themselves blocked if pharmacies interpret the rules too narrowly.
“Getting a prescription from my primary doctor feels unnecessary,” Donnelly said. “It’s one more barrier for people who just want to protect themselves and their families.”
Patients Put on the Spot
For those with medical conditions who don’t appear “visibly ill,” the new process can feel like an interrogation.
Allison Rivera, 35, who takes immune-suppressing medication for an autoimmune disorder, said she was grilled about her eligibility while trying to get vaccinated at a CVS in Orange County, California.
“They asked a lot of questions about my health,” she said. “At first, they told me I’d need a prescription. Later, a different staffer finally accepted my word. But it left me discouraged. It shouldn’t be this complicated.”
Rivera said she wanted the vaccine not just for herself but to protect her elderly parents, both of whom have chronic health issues. “The irony is that this administration claims it’s against government overreach, yet here we are facing stricter rules just to get a shot.”
Rising Numbers, Unclear Guidance
The confusion comes as signs of another surge are emerging nationwide. Wastewater monitoring shows elevated levels of the virus in at least 15 states, including New York, California, and Texas.
Dr. Linda Chang, an infectious disease specialist at Pacific Health in Los Angeles, said her hospital is treating more COVID patients each week. “We’re seeing increases in both outpatient visits and hospital admissions,” she explained. “It’s too early to say if this will be a major wave, but the trend is upward.”
California’s positivity rate rose from 7% in early August to nearly 13% by the end of the month. Hospital admissions have also ticked up, reaching almost four per 100,000 residents—still far below the worst surges but high enough to strain smaller facilities.
Some local data suggests cases may already be leveling off in parts of Southern California, but public health experts warn it’s too soon to relax.
A Shaken CDC and State Pushback
Federal messaging has been further clouded by turmoil at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Several members of the agency’s vaccine advisory committee were dismissed earlier this year, and longtime director Dr. Susan Moralez was abruptly replaced. Interim director James O’Connor, who lacks a medical background, has been criticized for failing to provide clear national guidelines.
As a result, states are beginning to chart their own paths. Pharmacies in New York, Arizona, and Florida now require prescriptions for COVID-19 shots. In Nevada, vaccinations are available only at select MinuteClinic locations.
On the West Coast, governors in California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii recently launched the Western Health Compact, pledging to provide science-based vaccine guidance independent of federal directives.
“This alliance was created to restore trust and ensure residents receive accurate, evidence-driven recommendations,” said a statement from Governor Gavin Nelson’s office.
Medical Groups Speak Out
Major professional organizations are also stepping in. The American College of Physicians and the Pediatric Health Association have released updated guidance urging eligible patients to seek vaccination and calling on pharmacies to streamline access.
“The last thing we need is confusion at the counter,” said Dr. Karen Mitchell, president of the Pediatric Health Association. “COVID is still here, and vaccines remain one of our strongest defenses.”
Looking Ahead
For seniors like Michael and Karen Donnelly, however, the policies in place today are what matter most. “We just want to be safe before visiting our grandchildren,” Donnelly said. “Instead, we’re caught in a maze of rules that seem designed to keep us out.”
As infections rise and policies shift, one question looms: will the nation’s most vulnerable get the protection they need in time?