Name: New challenges arise for COVID-19 vaccine access in NC as officials await ACIP recommendations
Uploaded: 2025-09-09T21:53:39+00:00
Duration: 3 min 4 s
Description: As North Carolina grapples with new hurdles in COVID-19 vaccine distribution, officials await crucial ACIP guidelines. Officials say the decision could impact vaccine availability and raises concerns among health officials and residents about future access and rollout strategies.

As North Carolina grapples with new hurdles in COVID-19 vaccine distribution, officials await crucial ACIP guidelines. Officials say the decision could impact vaccine availability and raises concerns among health officials and residents about future access and rollout strategies.

If you want the COVID-19 vaccine but have had trouble getting it from your local pharmacy, you'll need to wait until later this month to get clarity on your eligibility.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets on September 18. This panel is key to the release of the vaccine on a wider scale than is currently allowed.

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On Wednesday, Aug. 27, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a COVID-19 vaccine formulation for the fall and winter season for people 65 and older, or those 6 months and older who have at least one high-risk condition.

However, the ACIP has not given recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines this season. This means that COVID-19 vaccines may only be available from a pharmacist in North Carolina for people 18 and older with a prescription.

"In previous years, the ACIP meeting/recommendations and CDC authorization took place right after FDA approval (before pharmacies even got the vaccine in stock), so we didn’t have this delay," said Amy Thibault, a CVS spokesperson.

CVS officials said in a statement pharmacists can currently vaccinate in 38 of the country’s 50 states.

“Once ACIP acts on the updated COVID-19 vaccines or states take additional action to authorize pharmacy dispensing prior to ACIP recommendations, we’ll be able to offer the FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines in the remaining states. Right now, dependent on state law, we can offer the updated COVID-19 vaccines to patients, depending on their age, prior to ACIP action, if they present an authorized prescriber’s prescription. Those states are – AZ, DC, FL, GA, LA, ME, NC, NM, NY, UT, VA, WV,” the statement read in part.A CVS Spokesperson told WRAL News

According to state law, NCDHHS officials said immunizing pharmacists in North Carolina are permitted to administer vaccines recommended by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines.

WRAL asked NCDHHS about the process. Below is the exchange between WRAL’s Ashley Rowe and an NCDHHS spokesperson:

Is it unusual for DHHS to receive flu vaccine recommendations separate from COVID vaccine recommendations?

"The timing for ACIP flu recommendations was not different from past years. What is unusual this year is not having ACIP recommendations for COVID vaccines at this point. These are usually issued in June before FDA licensure."

Is there precedent for the ACIP recommending vaccines for some populations but not all?

"Yes. ACIP often makes recommendations that are specific to certain groups based on age, medical conditions, or other considerations. ACIP recommendations have not yet been issued for COVID-19 vaccines this season."

Jeff Jenks, a medical director with Durham County's Department of Public Health, said the county has seen a lot of interest in the COVID-19 vaccine. Though he said people are anxious and anticipating what is going to happen over the next few days, awaiting the ACIP meeting and subsequent CDC approval of the vaccine.

“A lot of people are kind of on the edge of their seats trying to figure out, you know, what’s going to happen this fall with the COVID-19 vaccine,” Jenks said.

He added it is unclear if the ACIP is going to include the entire list of conditions when they meet on Wednesday, Sept. 18, or what the CDC will do afterwards. However, Jenks did say that at the moment, quite a few people would meet the criteria.

“There’s a long list of what potentially would place you at an increased risk for a more severe outcome,” Jenks said. “The CDC has a list.”

For Jenks, he said the county’s goal is to make it as easy as possible for people to have access to vaccines for any preventable diseases. He said that any of these barriers that are introduced make it more challenging.

“Not everyone has a primary care physician, or is able to get in to see them in a timely manner, or may work multiple jobs where you know going in and seeing their doctor during normal business hours is not possible,” Jenks said. “So, you definitely would introduce some challenges.”

Some clinics may have the updated 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine, but since formulations were recently approved by the FDA, NCDHHS officials said some may not yet be available at all locations.

Officials with NCDHHS say they plan to continue working with partners to make sure COVID-19 vaccines are available for all people who want them and would benefit from their protection. People are also encouraged to talk with their healthcare provider about any concerns they have about any seasonal vaccines.