CVS, Walgreens cancel COVID vaccine appointments in NY for those under 65 (2024)

ALBANY – An unknown number of New York residents had their COVID-19 vaccine appointments abruptly cancelled by CVS and Walgreensafter they were able to sign up despite a state rule preventing pharmacies from vaccinating those under the age of 65.

The retail pharmacy giants began administering the vaccine in New York lastweek under a federal program that allocates doses directly to them, with the chains' limited appointments booked up within hours of being made available.

Some of those appointments were filled by those who have comorbidities, who gained eligibility to receive the vaccine on Monday. But those who are under the age of 65 had their appointments abruptly cancelleddays after making them, with the pharmacies pointing to the state rule.

CVS spokesman Mike DeAngelis suggested the cancelations were connected to thestate Department of Health's updated Feb. 15 guidance to vaccine providers, which noted pharmacies "should only vaccinate persons aged 65 years or older" after vaccinating their own staff.

"We worked to identify impacted individuals who had made appointments as soon as we received this updated guidance," DeAngelissaid in an email. "We are required to comply with state guidance on vaccine eligibility and we regret any inconvenience."

State rule had been in place since January

CVS, Walgreens cancel COVID vaccine appointments in NY for those under 65 (1)

The state's rule preventingpharmacies from vaccinating people younger than65, however,had been in effect for nearly a month prior to Feb. 15.

The rule was included in the Health Department's Jan. 19 guidance to vaccine providers, as well as a Jan. 23 executive order by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

"The requirement that pharmacies in New York State prioritize the 65+ population for vaccination has been stated numerous times by the Governor and is clearly laid out in multiple guidance documents and an executive order," Health Department spokesperson Jill Montag said in a statement.

"Pharmacies book their own vaccination appointments, so please reach out to them for further questions."

It was not immediately clear how widespread the cancellations were; CVS declined to provide an estimate. Walgreens did not immediately respond to questions Wednesday about the situation.

People who booked appointments on CVS' online system were greeted with a pop-up saying eligibility was limited to New York residents age 65 or older, and warning that different states have different eligibility rules.

Still, the warning was apparently easy to miss, as those who had their appointments cancelled wrote to their local government leaders and took to apps like Nextdoor and social media to voice their displeasure.

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Cancellations lead to criticism

CVS, Walgreens cancel COVID vaccine appointments in NY for those under 65 (2)

Paul Feiner, supervisor of the town of Greenburgh in Westchester County, publicly posted emails from his constituents who reached out to his office to raise concern after removing their names.

"This is ridiculous," Feiner wrote on the town's website. "Those under 65 who have medical problems deserve the vaccine just like those who are over 65 and are healthier. I am reaching out to the Governor's office - hoping that the state will direct all pharmacies to offer vaccines to everyone eligible to receive them."

Phyllis Sauler said she booked an appointment for her son, who is younger than 65 but has an eligible underlying health condition, at the Walgreens in Dobbs Ferry, Westchester County. She said she received a confirmation email from the drug-store chain before later receiving an email cancelling the appointment, which led her to call for an explanation.

"The person I spoke with at Walgreens told me that she was just told that they were just informed they could only give vaccines to those 65 and older," Sauler wrote in an email.

Cuomo's administration first limited vaccine providers to specific populations in mid-January, not long after expanding the eligibility rules to include those over the age of 65.

Under the state rules, pharmacies are limited to those over the age of 65.Hospitals have to prioritize health care workers, then they can vaccinate residents of facilities for the developmentally disabled, then they can vaccinate those over the age of 65.

Local health departments have to prioritize essential workers for vaccination. They can also designate health care providers in their counties to vaccinate those with comorbidities.

New York's 13 state-run mass vaccination sites are open to anyone who is currently eligible for the vaccine.

Includes reporting by Frank Scandale of The Journal News.

Jon Campbell is a New York state government reporter for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at JCAMPBELL1@Gannett.com or on Twitter at@JonCampbellGAN.

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CVS, Walgreens cancel COVID vaccine appointments in NY for those under 65 (2024)

FAQs

How long does the COVID vaccine last? ›

The Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax vaccines protect against many known variants of COVID-19. The Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines offer immunity against COVID-19 for up to six months. To increase protection, getting an updated COVID-19 vaccine is now recommended for everyone six months and older.

What is the most current COVID vaccine? ›

COVID-19 vaccines currently recommended for use in the United States:
  • Updated Pfizer-BioNTech.
  • Updated Moderna.
  • Updated Novavax.
Jul 3, 2024

How long do vaccines stay in your body? ›

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work by introducing mRNA (messenger RNA) into your muscle cells. The cells make copies of the spike protein and the mRNA is quickly degraded (within a few days).

Which vaccines last a lifetime? ›

Some viruses are relatively huge while others are tiny in comparison, some use RNA while others use DNA—they are very, very different organisms.” Yancey said that for vaccines that “last a lifetime,” which include vaccines for measles or hepatitis B, the viruses themselves tend to be uniform when they replicate.

How often should I have a COVID booster? ›

If you have had your primary vaccination course and you're aged: 75 years or older, you're recommended further doses of COVID-19 vaccine every 6 months. 18 – 74 years with severe immunocompromise, you're recommended further doses of COVID-19 vaccine every 12 months.

What are the top 3 vaccines for COVID? ›

The CDC says there's a preference for the mRNA (Pfizer and Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines over the Novavax or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. This is based on data from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Is the COVID vaccine no longer approved? ›

The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula) is authorized for all doses administered to individuals 6 months through 11 years of age to prevent COVID-19. The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent is no longer authorized for use in the United States.

How long does COVID last if vaccinated? ›

For example, says Mallory Shillinger, D.O., a Piedmont primary care physician, vaccinated people often have “a fever for one or two days, along with fatigue, a sore throat and dry cough that can last three to five days. Also, a loss of taste and smell that can linger for two to three weeks.”

How long do vaccinations last? ›

DiseaseName of Travel VaccineBooster
Diphtheria Tetanus, Polio VaccineREVAXIS10 years
Hepatitis A VaccineAVAXIM2nd dose 6-12 months later will give 25 years immunity
Typhoid vaccineTYPHIM Vi3 years
Yellow Fever VaccineSTAMARILLife long Certificate valid for life.
7 more rows

How long is the immunity for COVID-19? ›

The immune response from a COVID-19 infection usually tamps down after 3-4 months, says Kawsar Talaat, MD, a vaccinologist and associate professor in the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.

How effective is the COVID vaccine in 2024? ›

The newest vaccines are about 40 to 50% effective, which is not perfect. But they help a great deal in protecting against hospitalization and death. Immunities do wane over time.

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