READ: An overview of updated COVID-19 vaccine guidance - Prime Therapeutics
READ: An overview of updated COVID-19 vaccine guidance
What you need to know
On Sept. 19, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to revise its recommendation for the COVID-19 (COVID) vaccine, shifting to a shared-clinical (individual-based) decision-making approach — meaning vaccination is a personal choice made with a health care provider rather than a universal recommendation. Prime will not be making any network changes for COVID vaccines this year and the vaccine list will stay the same. Additionally, Prime will survey pharmacies to understand their plans regarding vaccine administration.
Overview
During its September meeting, ACIP unanimously voted to shift its COVID vaccine guidance to a shared-clinical decision-making approach. Under this framework, individuals are encouraged to make vaccination decisions in partnership with a health care provider.
Additionally, the committee voted to require clearer communication of any potential vaccine risks and narrowed vaccine recommendations for certain groups. ACIP’s recommendation now covers all people six months and older via shared-clinical decision-making. This marks a significant policy shift by the CDC away from universal COVID vaccine recommendations.
The committee voted not to require a prescription for the vaccine — keeping access open. However, Prime Therapeutics (Prime) believes this could vary by state as ACIP’s recommendation could still require a prescriber order, while other states may implement a “standing order” for COVID vaccines (no prescriber order is necessary to receive a COVID vaccine).
Pharmacists can still administer COVID vaccines under ACIP’s new guidance, but only within the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations’ (FDA) authorized groups (adults 65 and older, and younger, high-risk individuals) and in accordance with state laws and standing orders. The FDA has approved several COVID vaccines for different groups and individuals with certain health conditions:
Prime's response and next steps
Prime will not be making any network changes for COVID vaccines this year. The vaccine list will stay the same. We are surveying our pharmacy chains to better understand their plans regarding vaccine administration. Specifically, we are gathering information on:
- Type of vaccine offered
- Whether prerequisites will be required to receive a COVID vaccine
- If any requirements vary by location
We anticipate that collecting responses from participating pharmacies will take some time. Once we have sufficient information, Prime will share the results of the survey.
While pharmacists have the right to exercise their professional judgement, and many states offer protections for pharmacists, we may see a broader shift in COVID vaccine administration from pharmacies to traditional medical settings.
Questions
Please reach out to your Prime account team representative.