New COVID-19 Vaccine Approved With Restrictions for Younger, Healthy Patients in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. – The FDA has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2025–26 season, but new rules mean that not every North Carolina resident can walk into a pharmacy and get one. Access is now limited by age, health conditions, and in some cases, prescriptions.

Who Is Eligible

The FDA approval authorizes updated vaccines for:

• 65 and older: All eligible.
• Younger patients: Only those with certain underlying conditions.
• By manufacturer: Moderna (6 months+), Pfizer-BioNTech (5 years+), Novavax (12 years+).

According to the CDC, qualifying conditions include asthma, cancer, chronic lung disease, diabetes, Down syndrome, heart conditions, obesity, and pregnancy.

Dr. Alok Patel, ABC News Medical Contributor, emphasized parental caution:

“The most important thing for parents to do right now is to talk to a health care professional, talk to your pediatrician about whether or not your child is high risk.”

State-Level Confusion

Unlike previous years, guidance from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has not yet been finalized. That has created uncertainty for doctors, insurers, and pharmacies.

Dr. Zack Moore, North Carolina’s state epidemiologist, explained:

“Normally, we would have guidance from ACIP at this point. That’s what pharmacists and doctors go by, and that hasn’t happened yet, which is one way this season is unusual.”

Private insurers and the federal Vaccines for Children Program are waiting on ACIP recommendations before confirming coverage.

Prescription Rules at Pharmacies

CVS has already announced it will require prescriptions for the new COVID-19 vaccine in North Carolina, Virginia, and 12 other states. Patients under 65 without a qualifying health condition may face added hurdles.

At Raleigh Pharmacy, Senthil Radhakrishnan said many customers are unaware of the changes.

“A lot of them don’t know the new guidelines. They just call in and say, ‘I need a vaccine.’ Then I ask them, ‘What’s your age?’ If they are below 65, then do they have any underlying diseases,” he explained.

COVID-19 Remains a Risk

Though case numbers are lower than in past years, doctors caution against underestimating the virus.

“Vaccines are still the most important way to protect yourself and your family against severe illness or complications from COVID,” Moore stressed.

Patel added: “Even though children tend to do pretty well compared to other populations, we still see children hospitalized regularly with complications from COVID-19.”

Do you think requiring prescriptions for COVID-19 vaccines makes it harder for North Carolinians to stay protected, or will it ensure safer oversight? Share your views in the comments and join the conversation at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.