Rhode Island Takes Steps to Ensure COVID-19 Vaccine Access Amid Federal Uncertainty
The new order from the Rhode Island Department of Health allows pharmacists to administer the vaccine to all patients three years of age and older, regardless of health status.
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The Rhode Island Department of Health has taken several steps to ensure the state’s residents continue to have access to the COVID-19 vaccine, despite recent changes in federal policy restricting the vaccine’s use by age and health status.
The first, a standing order issued by RIDOH Director Jerome Larkin on Sept. 12, authorizes pharmacists to administer the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine to all patients three years of age and older. The order stands in contrast to recent policy changes by the Food and Drug Administration, which in August restricted the vaccine’s use to patients sixty-five years of age and older and those at risk of serious illness from COVID-19. The RIDOH order aligns the state’s vaccine policy with guidance from major medical organizations, as well as previous recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prior to December 2024.
The second, a bulletin issued by Larkin and Rhode Island Health Insurance Commissioner Cory King on Sept. 12, requires health insurance companies to continue covering COVID-19 vaccination as recommended by major medical academies. According to an announcement from Gov. Dan McKee, insurance providers have indicated they will comply with the order.
“We are taking action in Rhode Island to ensure that the public health turmoil at the national level does not affect the ability of Rhode Islanders to access vaccines that keep us healthy and safe,” McKee says. “It’s crucial that people who want to get the COVID-19 vaccine have the ability to do so in Rhode Island.”
The order follows actions by the FDA that have restricted access to the latest round of COVID-19 vaccines and caused turmoil for patients and providers nationwide. In August, the FDA approved the 2025-2026 COVID-19 shots but restricted their use to patients sixty-five years of age or older or those with underlying health conditions. Previous versions of the COVID-19 shot had been available to all patients six months of age and older. The decision creates roadblocks for healthy patients who want to get vaccinated against COVID-19 heading into the winter flu and respiratory virus season.
The same week the FDA announced the new restrictions to COVID-19 vaccines, former CDC Director Susan Monarez was fired from her post and several other top officials resigned, allegedly over concerns about changing public health policy under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Amid the changes, several states have taken it upon themselves to release guidance for their residents and take steps to ensure vaccine access. Last week, Massachusetts issued its own order allowing pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to patients age five and older. In the case of the Rhode Island order, pharmacists may administer the vaccine “off-label” in accordance with the recommendations of major medical organizations despite the FDA restrictions.
“The Rhode Island Medical Society strongly supports the state’s leadership in ensuring broad access to the updated COVID-19 vaccine. By aligning with science-based recommendations and working collaboratively with insurers, pharmacies, and providers, the state is helping to protect the health of our patients and our communities. We are grateful for this partnership and remain committed to working alongside the Department of Health to make vaccination accessible to all Rhode Islanders,” says Dr. Kara Stavros, president of the Rhode Island Medical Society.
“The Rhode Island Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics thanks Gov. McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health for ensuring access and availability of COVID-19 vaccines for children and adults. We are proud that the important steps announced today will contribute to the health and wellbeing of the children and others in our wonderful state,” says Dr. Scott A. Rivkees, president of the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
According to the announcement, physicians can administer the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine to children older than six months of age. Pediatricians and family physicians’ offices are considered the best option for accessing the vaccine for children between six months and five years old.
Anyone who has difficulty accessing the COVID-19 vaccine can call the RIDOH at 222-5960.
