It's very frustrating if you believe in science. I was so glad to see that the Massachusetts governor ordered insurers to cover state-backed vaccines, even without CDC support. She also issued an order allowing pharmacies to continue to provide Covid vaccines to MA residents over five years of age and will allow the state to decide which vaccines pharmacists can give in the state. She said MA would lead efforts to create a public health collaboration with other states in New England and across the Northeast, focused on developing evidence-based recommendatioins on vaccinations, disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and supporting state public health labs. Other states are taking similar steps. Much more information in the article on Reuters online.

ETA to correct state abbreviation. Thanks, bbstx. I did know that.

That is ridiculous, JoJo. Amazingly, it was not a problem for me in Texas. This national anti-science stance is shocking and frightening.

NC now requires a prescription for C-vax regardless of age so what was an easy one step process now requires physician involvement. We are one of several 'enlightened' states to make that change. Just brilliant.

update: My pcp would not give me the prescription. She said they are all waiting to see how this shakes out and that their office doesn't even have the form yet. She told me to just go to a pharmacy and try.

the two letter abbreviation for Massachusettes is MA. MS is Mississippi.

My DH said he saw at our pharmacy that they will need a prescription for all Covid vaccines. Apparently, those og us over (way over 65 still need a doctor's prescription. Our PCP just retired. Sheesh.

I'm so sorry, jojo. The same thing happened to my parents (over 70) in UT. My mother's doctor was willing to write a prescription so she could get a c-vax here. My father's doctor would not write a prescription so my parents had to drive one state away to get him a c-vax from a pharmacy. They will be going overseas shortly and wanted to reduce the chance of serious medical complications while traveling abroad.

I am grateful that I do not have any underlying conditions, but would have liked to get one before going to an in-person whole company event in a few weeks. In the past I could make an appointment with a pharmacy without issue. I don't think I can even get one in this state. Last year I picked up covid from a company exec after traveling for work for a company meeting.

So ridiculous - I guess if I want one I should try to get it before I leave MN. I suspect easier to get it there than in SC. Problem is there's no day I can afford ot be down and out from the jab before I have to leave.

I hjave an appt at CVS Monday to get the COVID and Flu vax

did it online

Maybe the cartels will start producing the Covid vax and selling it on dark street corners. Then, the national news will feature a nice wholesome responsible suburban Mom purchasing the cartel vax arrested for possession of a prescription only vax that was not prescribed for her and sentenced to ten years.

In response, an enraged group of moms would bust her out of jail, then she and the group would drive a heavy duty pickup through a pharmacy wall, steal all the Covid vaxxes and right there in the parking lot vax themselves and give the extra boxes to their family and community.

They would all get awaked by the National Guard that night at 2 AM, taken outside and shot under presidential orders which he would claim were legal because getting vaxxes without a prescription was some kind of emergency.

Sadly, not too weird to be true.

Hmm, my pharmacy has walk in Covid and flu, no age restriction. Im also in PA.

So I just went on the CVS website and there you’re allowed to basically say yes I am eligible. I wonder if that’ll change since Pennsylvania is one of those states that has adopted the new federal guidelines that do not recommend Covid shots for adults under 65 unless you have other health issues. But I don’t want to go to CVS because I want Pfizer not Moderna. In my experience, Pfizer has far fewer side effects. but it looks like I’ll be able to get it in a few days anyway. And here I was, trying to follow the rules and get a prescription.

I found out today that even though I'm over 65 I need a prescription in Oregon!

I saw a segment about this Monday. "Blue" states are joining together to purchase bulk vaccines. The chief medical officer in Washington issued a standing order for Covid vaccines; if you want one, you can get one. There is no required PCP order. This is simply outrageous; there will be two "CDCs" or advisories in the United States.

@bbtsx, an aside, Did I ever post that? I ama Gulman groupie. Took DH to see him last Fall

🤦‍♀️

@mtnrdredux_gw, I don’t know if you have ever posted it before or not. I may have. Regardless, it is one of the funniest schticks I’ve ever seen! I am envious that y’all have seen Gary Gulman in person. I love his wit!

I saw Gulman last year, too. He read the book I give to all new babies, There’s a Monster at the End of This Book.

Not about this particular hoop but C-d related. My sister got C-d this some and as she is over 65, she has Medicare related insurance. She was prescribed Paxlovid ( I am not going to get into the efficacy of this). Anyway it was no longer in their formulary of drugs they would cover (based on the "new science") and her out of pocket expense would have been $500. So she was not able to afford it.

I am also in PA and I was told I could just schedule/go to CVS. I have not gone yet.

Jojoco, you may want to check out your CVS stores-- I have also get Pfizer and all but my first were from CVS. IRRC, you could choose which you wanted and then it would filter the store list down to only those who had it in stock.

wow, I can’t believe they’re presenting such ridiculous obstacles to vaccines, and I’m shocked that jojo’s PCP wouldn’t give her a prescription for one! My BF was just checking our pharmacy for availabilty and confirmed that we don’t need any Rx, and we can walk in any time or make an appointment for next week. In NY!

I have a list for the Pharmacist when we go tomorrow. DH falls under approved persons due to his illness, which my coming home with Covid is a huge risk to him as well.

Based on some of the lists I’ve seen, even when others may say something else.

BMI>25 (its 28)

Autoimmune hypothyroid

Dormant viral load for Epstein Barr

Learning disability (dyslexia)

I’ll pay out if pocket and they can pick the qualifying items.

Agreeing about not hiding people's personal opinions by flagging them away. In the current cultural climate, we do not need any more thought police. The most egregious rule violations will be disappeared by mods anyway. And it feeds into the sense of victimhood such folks seem to enjoy.

I too am a bit shocked by the idea of one's PCP refusing to write a scrip for a vaccine - just why...?

I am in CA, I received my Covid vaccine today. My standard pharmacy did not have it in stock but I was able to get the vaccine at Walgreens. We are traveling soon and I wanted to have as much protection as possible. Since I am 65 I did not need an RX. Not sure what type of proof my daughter will need to provide, if any, she has Type 1 diabetes and is at higher risk.

You may have heard that our CA governor Newsom, in concert with governors from the states of Oregon, Washington and Hawaii have joined together to create the West Coast Health Alliance. The alliance will develop state vaccine recommendations based on the guidelines from national medical groups such as the AAP (American Association of Peditricians). Hoping, the new guidelines will not take too long to roll out.

I live near Jill although we’ve never met. Today we went to CVS for our vaccines. DH has an obvious disability and the pharmacist just asked me if I filled out the online form. the vaccine is also covered by my insurance.

For those who were shocked that my PCP wouldn't write the prescription--believe me, I was too! She said they didn't even have the codes yet because it was so new. Being that I live in PA, part of me wonders if they fear repercussions (it's part of Penn Med which is huge). But it all worked out and I got the vax today. The pharmacist did ask what made me qualify (under 65 you need a qualifying medical condition). But that was all. No hoops whatsoever in the end. PSAfor those in the Philly area, Giant has Pfizer. Once again, zero side effects.

@DLM2000-GW, the NC governor has issued an executive order that removes the prescription part. This is just today (Friday). We were going to go around it by using CVS Minute clinic that can prescribe. So DH has his appointment and we'll see if we still have to go through Minute Clinic or just the pharmacy since this just changed today. I am going to wait a couple of weeks for Novavax again which is supposed to ship this upcoming week. If anyone remembers, I was in the clinical trial for Novavax.

@gsciencechick I read the directive and as I understand it that's true for over 65 which means DH and I will be able to get it if we choose. Stein did not make the rule, he directed the State Health Director to make the rule and it seems to me he's choosing more access with as little room for public backlash as possible. Those 18 and up have to meet "certain criteria" otherwise they still need a prescription. I have no idea what the criteria is nor how a pharmacist makes the determination that a patient fits the requirement. It's better, but still leaves a lot of people who may not know they fit the criteria or those who don't having to get a prescription first. And of course it also leaves a lot of room for people to say 'see? not everyone needs it or should have it' based on the fabulous deductive reasoning we are known for ;-)