NEW YORK -- Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order Friday morning allowing New Yorkers to get a COVID-19 vaccine at pharmacies in the state without a prescription.

It comes after the federal government recently limited who can get a shot this year.

The Food and Drug Administration approved updated versions of the COVID vaccine, but authorized them only for people 65 and older or for people who have an underlying medical condition.

It prompted big pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens to say they would issue the latest COVID vaccine if someone has a doctor's prescription.

But Hochul said the executive order declares "a disaster in the state of New York due to federal actions related to vaccine access" and ensures access to the vaccine immediately.

"So you can go into a pharmacy, not

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