New York gives the green wave for Covid-19 vaccination, defying the limits imposed by the Trump Administration/ measures announced by several states led by Democrats
Kathy Hoch, New York's governor, photo: Anthony Behar / DDP USA / Profimedia
New York governor, Kathy Hochul, signed an executive order on Friday authorizing pharmacists in this US state to administer vaccines against Covid-19 to anyone who wants this, thus joining the democratic state leaders who try to counteract the new limits that the Trump administration has imposed on vaccinations.
The order, signed by the hoch during a visit to a general school, is in force for a period of 30 days, but the governor said that he will extend it, if necessary, until the state legislature will meet, in January, and will be able to consider a permanent solution.
“If you want your son to receive a Covid vaccine, he should be available and covered by insurance,” she said. “Extreme times require extreme measures,” the Democrat added.
Secretary of Health, skeptical about vaccination
In the mandate of the current US Secretary of Health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a skeptic in vaccine, the US FDA and Medications Administration (FDA) has approved new versions of Covid only for Americans over 65 or for those with certain pre -existing medical conditions. In the past years, the vaccines were generally available for anyone.
A CVS Health spokesman, who owns one of the largest pharmacy chains in the country, said the group will “ensure that vaccines against Covid-19 are available as soon as possible in all CVS pharmacies”, according to Hoch's order.
Kennedy faced hostile questions on Thursday in a Senate working group, including from some Republicans. Ever since he took over this year, Kennedy has made false and unknown statements about vaccines, whose merit is widely recognized by the scientific consensus in saving tens of millions of lives globally in recent decades.
Covid vaccines saved 14.4 million lives worldwide in the first year of use, according to a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
The secretary of health has eliminated career scientists and vaccines from centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), who recommend immunizations for Americans, and recently kicked out the CDC director after opposing the vaccination policy changes.
Several states with democratic leaders have announced measures
California, Oregon and Washington, states with democratic administrations, announced this week an “Western Coast Alliance”, which will analyze scientific data and make recommendations on vaccines, accusing the CDC that it is no longer reliable under Kennedy's authority. Hawaii, another state with democratic leadership, said on Thursday that he would join the group.
The governor of the state of Massachusetts, Maura Healey, ordered on Thursday to the insurers in this state to cover the vaccines supported by the state health department, although CDC issues more limited recommendations.
Meanwhile, the general doctor of Florida said on Wednesday that the state will eliminate all mandatory vaccinations, including those for schoolchildren, an approach supported by Republican governor Ron Desantis.
Vaccination levels have dropped in the US, alarming experts in public health, who blame the misinformation on the efficacy and safety of vaccines.
