New York Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to sign an executive order allowing pharmacies to administer COVID-19 shots after several pharmacy chains said boosters would only be available by prescription within the state.

The announcement comes a week after the Food and Drug Administration approved updated boosters for the 2025-26 season but limited their approval to adults over age 65. Adults under age 65 would need to be considered "high risk" to get a shot.

However, the shots have not yet been recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. That committee has faced recent turmoil after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired the entire panel earlier this year.

Absent the ACIP's recommendations, vaccine access varies by state. In some states, Americans ag

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