New Rules Limit Who Can Get COVID-19 Vaccine in Georgia
ATLANTA, G.A. — Georgia residents seeking the updated COVID-19 vaccine may now face stricter requirements, as major pharmacy chains including CVS and Walgreens have introduced new rules requiring prescriptions for certain patients.
Pharmacies Tighten Access
CVS confirmed it is requiring prescriptions in about a dozen states, including Georgia, while awaiting final approval from the CDC advisory committee. Walgreens’ online booking system also restricts appointments, blocking anyone who does not meet eligibility criteria.
The changes come shortly after the FDA authorized vaccines for adults 65 and older, and for younger people with qualifying underlying conditions.
Meanwhile, Kroger and Publix have not yet confirmed their rules, though appointment slots in Atlanta were unavailable at the time of review.
DPH Says No Prescription Needed at State Clinics
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) clarified that its facilities do not require prescriptions for COVID-19 vaccinations. Instead, individuals outside FDA’s priority groups will undergo consultation with DPH nurses to ensure no contraindications, such as allergies or prior severe reactions.
DPH spokesperson Nancy Nydam Shirek emphasized that state health departments, hospitals, and physicians operate under different legal authority than retail pharmacists, allowing them to vaccinate without prescriptions.
Doctors and Experts Weigh In
Experts say the mixed rules are causing confusion. Dr. Jodie Guest, a professor of epidemiology at Emory University, said:
“We already have very low rates of COVID vaccine coverage in the state, and these new policy guidelines will make it harder for those who do want to get access to a vaccine.”
Dr. Cecil Bennett, medical director at Newnan Family Medicine Associates, echoed the uncertainty, noting he plans to carry the vaccine but is unsure about supply.
“Needless to say, everyone is a little confused,” Bennett said. “I’m in a wait-and-see mode, both on my shipments and just how thrilled our patients are actually getting vaccinated against COVID.”
Supply and Cost Questions Remain
According to DPH, updated vaccine shipments are expected by mid-September. Health districts will receive doses based on orders placed and local demand.
The department has not yet confirmed the out-of-pocket cost for uninsured individuals, but last year’s price was about $180 per dose.
DPH also awaits federal guidance on vaccine allotments under the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program and the Section 317 program for uninsured adults.
Georgia residents now face a patchwork of rules depending on whether they seek vaccines at a retail pharmacy, a doctor’s office, or a public health clinic. For many, the coming weeks will determine whether access becomes smoother or even more restricted.
Do you think requiring prescriptions at major pharmacies will discourage people from getting vaccinated, or make the process safer? Share your thoughts with us at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
