WEEKLY UPDATE: 09/11/25
Governor Ned Lamont on Wednesday, September 10, announced a series of executive actions seeking to protect access to and coverage of COVID-19 vaccines in Connecticut. The administration’s actions include a multi-pronged approach coordinated between several state agencies, including the Connecticut Departments of Public Health (DPH), Consumer Protection (DCP), and Insurance (CID).
DPH this week issued interim guidance for the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season. The guidance states that children aged 6-23 months, adults 65 years and older, and all moderately to severely immunocompromised, unvaccinated, or high-risk individuals 6 months and older “should” receive the vaccine, while healthy individuals 6 months and older “can” receive the vaccine. The recommendations are based on recently released guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
In May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed the COVID-19 vaccine from its recommended immunization schedules for healthy children under 2 years old and pregnant women. In August, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine for individuals over 65 and patients 5 years and older with an underlying health condition. DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, said the department is assembling an advisory committee tasked with evaluating federal public health recommendations.
DCP on Wednesday provided guidance to pharmacists regarding vaccine distribution, advising that pharmacists may order, prescribe, and administer COVID-19 vaccines to individuals who fall outside the eligibility criteria authorized by the FDA, consistent with “off-label” use. This permits patients to receive the vaccine at a pharmacy without a prescription.
Additionally, CID on Wednesday issued a bulletin to all health insurers and health care centers, confirming coverage of COVID-19 immunizations in Connecticut-issued insurance policies is currently mandatory under state law. The law also prevents carriers from imposing copays, coinsurance, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket expenses for covered immunizations.
The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) emphasizes that vaccination remains one of the most effective tools to reduce illness and safeguard public health. CHA responded to the administration’s actions in a statement that reads in part:
“We appreciate Governor Lamont’s commitment to supporting widespread access to vaccinations and commend the state for acting swiftly to reinforce the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine. … These efforts are critical in supporting patients and protecting communities across the state.”
Click here to read CHA’s full statement.
