Covid vaccine heads-up

[redbird]

Because Bobby Brainworm is out to get us:

RFK Jr blocked CDC approval of the updated covid vaccine. There are three states where pharmacists can't legally give a vaccine without CDC approval: Massachusetts (where I live), Nevada, and New Mexico. In another 13 states, pharmacists can give the vaccine but only with a prescription, and CVS isn't shipping the vaccine to pharmacies in any of these 16 states.

Note: the vaccine is legally available in every state, because the relevant FDA committee did approve it, but some of us will have to get it from a doctor's office, which will be more of a hassle even when it’s possible.

P.S. Walgreen’s too, per a comment at Universal Hub.

Those are state laws, so call your state representatives and governor and tell them to change it.


OK, everyone, call your state representatives and the governor’s office. 

The governor’s office is at 617-725-4005.

Here’s a list of state house members and their phone numbers:

https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Members/House

For the state senate: https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Members/Senate

If you’re not sure what district you live in, you can look it up here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Note: State House members share phone numbers, so if the phone is answered with "Committee on such-and-such," ask for the specific representative’s office/staff. .(I haven’t tried this on the weekend.)

Comments

[otter]

What a waking nightmare.

[ranunculus]

Agreed, absolute nightmare.
I hope that creep gets sued for murder.

[julian]

Also, the Globe says that *Minute Clinics* in CVS's can offer the vaccine, but not CVS overall, due to the state law. Which sounds weird as heck since this is a state law, and they did not explain why, so I am skeptical, but, weirder things have happened.

[redbird]

Adrian tells me that the Minute Clinics don’t stock vaccines, they prescribe and send you to the pharmacy counter. And that Massachusetts pharmacists aren’t allowed to inject vaccines not approved by the CDC.

[anne]

I heard Walgreens just got bought by private equity, so I don't know how long they'll be viable.