COVID-19 levels are increasing in our wastewater, indicating a rise in infections throughout the state. This comes after a rather confusing month regarding vaccine eligibility.
Investigations by WRAL revealed that a state law preventing people from accessing the vaccine was intended to actually broaden vaccine availability. We reached out to officials to learn what steps are being taken to address this unexpected consequence.
Before recent changes made by the state, pharmacists had to deny individuals from getting their COVID-19 vaccines if they lacked a prescription.
This situation arose due to the Pharmacy Practice Act, which permits pharmacists to administer “vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.”
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) establishes guidelines for vaccine recipients, including age and dosage recommendations.
With a voting body of up to 20 members—comprising independent medical and public health experts—these members are appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
In 2023, recognizing the role pharmacists played during the COVID pandemic, the North Carolina legislature sought to enhance their authority to administer vaccines. Instead of specifying each vaccine in the law, they opted for a broader approach by referring to “ACIP-recommended” vaccines.
However, in June, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced all ACIP members with his own choices. This caused a delay in the ACIP’s evaluation of COVID vaccines, pushing it to late September. Consequently, the law intended to improve vaccine access inadvertently ended up restricting it.
When the panel finally convened, it refused to endorse COVID-19 vaccines and suggested that individuals make their own choices. This effectively keeps the COVID vaccine off the recommended list and out of reach for North Carolina pharmacists.
Jay Campbell, executive director of the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy, indicated that the legislature could amend the law to incorporate recommendations from other organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics.
WRAL reached out via email to all lawmakers in leadership roles within the state senate and house health care committees, posing several questions:
- What considerations have been made by the health committee regarding amending the rule that restricts pharmacists from administering vaccines not recommended by ACIP?
- What is your stance on this restriction being included in state law?
- If you could alter vaccine policies in our state, what changes would you propose?
Curiously, not a single lawmaker responded.
Other states are already revising their vaccine legislation. For instance, Hawaii, Washington, California, and Oregon have formed the West Coast Health Alliance to provide cohesive immunization recommendations. Similar initiatives are taking root in the Northeast.
