RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced updates to the Commonwealth’s immunization schedule following new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The changes affect several vaccines, including COVID-19 and MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella, also known as chickenpox).

According to VDH, the updated guidance shifts the COVID-19 vaccine to a “shared clinical decision-making” category. That means instead of being a routine vaccine, doctors and patients will now decide together whether vaccination is appropriate based on individual risk and health status.

VDH also emphasized that anyone ages 3 and older can now receive the COVID-19 vaccine at participating pharmacies without a prescription. Vaccines will continue to be off

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