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Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont is worried that people might not be able to access ineffective and potentially dangerous covid vaccines "during the upcoming respiratory virus season" so he announced a series of executive actions to ensure that Connecticut residents who wish to be vaccinated continue to have access to covid vaccines and that coverage under state-regulated health insurance policies remains uninterrupted.
“As uncertainty in Washington continues, our administration is doing everything we can to ensure the residents of Connecticut have access to the health care they need to stay safe,” Governor Lamont said. “Making vaccines accessible is grounded in health and safety, which is too important to leave to the whims of a political agenda. Vaccines have been proven for many decades to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death, and patients and their doctors should be able to decide what is the best course of treatment for themselves. We will not allow gridlock in Washington to put the people of our state at risk.”
Lamont might have missed the hearings in Washington DC, particularly yesterday's in which Attorney Aaron Siri shared the results of an "astonishing" study showing that unvaccinated children are much healthier than vaccinated children.
But forget about that.
Lamont and his administration insist that vaccination is still "the most effective defense to prevent severe COVID-19 disease outcomes."
Several state agencies, notably the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), and the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID), are now coordinating to push the state's COVID-19 immunization guidance for 2025-2026.
DPH releases interim guidance on who should receive COVID vaccines
The guidance is similar to those issued in previous years, recommending that children six months and older receive at least one covid shot, as well as adults of all ages.
You are even encouraged to get a covid vaccine if you have natural immunity from having had covid.
The guidance was developed based on alleged "evidence-based recommendations from professional and expert medical organizations such as the recently released guidance from American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)."
“We cannot predict which respiratory viral infection will be most prevalent this season, but we can protect our families against them and potential severe complications by getting vaccinated this fall,” Commissioner Juthani said. “I am currently assembling an advisory committee to work with me on matters relating to recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the federal Food and Drug Administration using evidence-based data from peer-reviewed literature and studies. We are in the process of scheduling our first meeting for this month. I am looking forward to discussing with this group the ongoing changes at the federal level regarding vaccines and other public health recommendations to ensure that we continue to provide the best care and guidance to the people of Connecticut.”
DCP provides guidance on distribution of vaccines to pharmacists
DCP provided guidance on the distribution of vaccines to pharmacists, as well, advising that – consistent with state law (C.G.S. § 20-633) – pharmacists may continue to order, prescribe, and administer FDA-approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccines using the most recent CDC administration instructions until the later of:
It's worth mentioning that federal actions now restrict covid vaccine eligibility for adults ages 18 to 65 with no underlying medical conditions.
However, according to the DCP guidance, prescribers and pharmacists may order, prescribe, and administer the COVID-19 vaccine to individuals who fall outside the eligibility criteria authorized by the FDA, consistent with “off-label” use.
“Here in Connecticut, pharmacists played a critical role in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, and that will continue this fall as patients seek protection against the most current strains of the virus,” DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli said. “Pharmacists are trusted frontline healthcare workers who are often the first point of contact for patients seeking vaccination. While federal vaccine schedules are in flux, we have issued interim guidance to provide clarity and consistency for our pharmacists administering COVID-19 vaccines.”
CID issues bulletin on insurance coverage
A bulletin issued today by CID to all health insurers and health care centers in Connecticut affirms that the DPH interim guidance for the 2025-2026 season aligns with existing state law requiring immunization coverage in Connecticut-issued health insurance policies. It also affirms that the DPH guidance is consistent with the COVID-19 immunization recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, for which coverage is mandated by state law.
Based the current guidance from DPH and the medical academies, there will be no change to existing COVID-19 immunization coverage in Connecticut-issued insurance policies, regardless of the CDC’s position.
“This bulletin confirms that based on current DPH guidance, there will be no change to existing COVID-19 immunization coverage in Connecticut-issued insurance policies,” CID Commissioner Andrew Mais said.
What this means for Connecticut residents
Combined, these actions will help bypass "restrictions created by the CDC" to access covid shots in Connecticut. Adults of all ages can still receive covid shots at pharmacies and medical practices, and children between 6 months and 18 years can still receive shots through pediatric providers participating in the Connecticut Vaccine Program (CVP).
Additionally, these actions ensure that insurance coverage for covid vaccines based on current guidance from DPH, continues unchanged for state-regulated plans.
What this means for Connecticut pharmacists and providers
Following these actions, pharmacists in Connecticut may continue to order, prescribe, and administer FDA-approved/authorized COVID-19 vaccines to adults using the most recent CDC administration instructions until the later of 30 days from DCP’s notice or the vaccine’s inclusion on the CDC Adult Immunization Schedule.
Additionally, pharmacists may continue to vaccinate pursuant to a prescriber’s verbal or written prescription, and prescribers may order the vaccine consistent with FDA labeling and prevailing clinical recommendations. Vaccine supply and guidance for children will continue through the Connecticut Vaccine Program and medical homes.
Next steps
Looking forward, Governor Lamont and officials within his administration continue to be in frequent communication with public health officials from regional states in the Northeast to coordinate on a potential regional approach to vaccination recommendations.
Additionally, the Lamont administration is researching potential legislative changes within state statutes to ensure "continued stability in the future" with respect to such issues, regardless of any potential shifts in positions from the federal government.
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