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Hochul extends COVID-19 vaccine order as federal access stalls under Trump
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Oct 5, 2025
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ike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Oct 5, 2025
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Gov. Kathy Hochul has extended a disaster declaration that lets pharmacists keep giving COVID-19 vaccines without prescriptions in hopes of preserving access as the federal government continues to delay its own vaccine rollout.
The executive order, renewed Sunday, comes amid confusion and concern over federal changes that have slowed the distribution of updated COVID-19 shots, especially for children. With the Trump administration yet to authorize ordering through the Vaccines for Children program, Hochul is calling on federal officials to act while her administration searches for workarounds to ensure uninsured kids can still get vaccinated.
The order also lays the groundwork for long-term legislation to protect access to vaccines in New York.
“I’ve been clear with New Yorkers that even as Washington continues its misguided campaign against science, I will always do what I can to ensure New Yorkers have access to the vaccines and information families need to make decisions about their health care — with no exceptions,” Gov. Hochul wrote in a statement. “I will sign as many extensions of this executive order as I need to. We will always let science lead the way — not politics.”
Before the executive order was instituted, the lack of federal guidance meant New York pharmacists were restricted from administering COVID-19 vaccines. And now that the federal government has shut down, receiving future guidance may be more delayed than previously expected.
Other states have followed suit by signing executive orders to allow Americans to continue receiving COVID-19 vaccines. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an order earlier this week, offering similar protections.
Federal health officials, including Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have publicly questioned the efficacy of vaccines writ large since President Trump took office.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tagged
Health and Science
Politics
new york state
Ramsey Khalifeh
Ramsey Khalifeh is a transportation reporter on the NYC Accountability desk covering the largest transit system in the country. He was previously a general assignment reporter at Gothamist and worked on the Boston Globe's metro and copy desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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