Lamont Administration Takes COVID-19 Vaccine Actions
The Lamont administration issued a series of executive actions Sept. 10 designed to ensure continued access to COVID-19 vaccines in Connecticut.
The moves followed recent federal changes that narrowed access to the vaccines and potentially limited insurance plan coverage.
While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month approved updated booster shots from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax, it limited that approval to people aged 65 or older and those with serious underlying health conditions.
COVID vaccines were previously available to anyone aged six months and older, regardless of health conditions.
The restrictions generated widespread confusion about insurance coverage for vaccines, the willingness of physicians to prescribe the vaccine, and whether pharmacists could continue administering shots.
Public Health Guidance
Three state agencies were involved in the Sept. 10 announcement, with the Department of Health releasing interim guidance that “vaccination remains the most effective defense against severe COVID-19.”
DPH officials said the guidance reflected that of previous years, with the agency consistently recommending vaccinations for children six months and older and adults of all ages.
The agency said its guidance was based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and American Academy of Family Physicians.
The Department of Consumer Protection issued guidance advising that based on state law, pharmacists could continue ordering, prescribing, and administering FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines.
That guidance was limited to 30 days from Sept. 10 or a vaccine’s inclusion on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s Adult Immunization Schedule, whichever occurs later.
“DCP has met with both CVS and Walgreens, as well as the National Association of Chain Drugstores and Walmart regarding this guidance,” a DCP spokesperson said.
“Our guidance offers the ability for a person who falls outside the FDA eligibility criteria to show up at a CVS or Walgreens or any other pharmacy without a prescription.”
Insurance Coverage
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet next week to determine its recommendations for this year’s COVID-19 vaccinations.
The Connecticut Insurance Department issued a bulletin Sept. 10 confirming that “coverage for COVID-19 immunizations is currently mandatory under the Connecticut Insurance Law.”
“There will be no change to existing COVID-19 immunization coverage in Connecticut-issued insurance policies regardless of ACIP’s position,” the bulletin noted.
“There will be no change to existing COVID-19 immunization coverage in Connecticut-issued insurance policies.”
CID bulletin
“The Connecticut Insurance Law also prevents carriers from imposing copays, coinsurance, deductibles or other out of pocket expenses on insureds for covered immunizations.”
Connecticut law covers individual and small group health plans in the fully insured market.
Employers that offer employees health coverage through self-funded plans can make their own determination as to vaccination coverage.
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