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Each also wants the latest COVID-19 vaccine — the 2025-26 version. But none of them has been able to get it, yet. Meanwhile, they’re hearing all kinds of conflicting information. That can be frustrating.

What’s the deal? Who’s eligible for the vaccine and who’s not? Do COVID vaccine-seekers now need a physician’s prescription, even though they can get RSV, shingles or the flu vaccine without one? Many Virginians want to know.

I’ve been seeking some answers from local and state health authorities. From that experience I can say, the picture remains murky.

“This is an evolving situation as federal and state agencies finalize recommendations,� said Hannah Curtis, a spokeswoman for Carilion Clinic.

Last week, when I posed questions to the Virginia Department of Health, it issued a 311-word statement that basically says anyone getting the latest COVID vaccine at a pharmacy in Virginia needs a physician’s prescription.

That includes seniors. But, the statement continued, that rule might change after Sept. 18, depending on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP.

ACIP is an arm of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That federal health agency is run by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine zealot and lawyer appointed by President Donald Trump.

In June 2024, ACIP approved that year’s most up-to-date COVID vaccine. But this past June, The new board’s not even scheduled to meet on the vaccine question until Sept. 18. And nobody’s sure what it will do.

“VDH anticipates that ACIP will vote on the updated COVID-19 vaccines at this meeting. If approved by the CDC, pharmacists will be able to administer the COVID-19 vaccine,� said Logan Anderson, a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Health.

Until then, “Virginians can contact their health care provider to ask about receiving the COVID vaccine or to request a prescription for administration at their pharmacy,� Anderson’s statement concluded.

However, Curtis said all of would be offering the vaccine without a prescription beginning Wednesday, Sept. 10 to patients 65 and up, and younger people with certain medical conditions. The health care provider is allowed to under state regulation, Curtis added.

“COVID-19 vaccines will be available without a prescription for certain groups under a system protocol approved by physicians on Carilion’s Vaccine Committee,� she said. Those eligible include anyone 65 or older or anyone 12 to 64 with a

The list of conditions is long and includes cancer, diabetes, liver, kidney, heart and lung disease and other conditions.

“COVID-19 vaccines and/or prescriptions are not yet available at our primary care locations, Curtis added. “We will offer both once supplies are in place in the coming weeks. We’ll provide updates as soon as details become available. For those 6 months to 11 years of age, we are awaiting additional CDC guidance.�

Rhonda Campbell told me she and her husband want the vaccine because they’re planning some overseas travel. Campbell spent part of Friday asking questions on the phone to district and Washington offices of her congressman, Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, and her senators, U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Democrats.

She was less than satisfied with the answers.

“I can’t be the only one for whom this is going to be an issue. It’s very confusing to me,� Campbell said.

Jim Marchman in Blacksburg raised the issue in an email to me last week that I forwarded to VDH.

“My pharmacist (Blacksburg Pharmacy) told me today that they have the latest COVID vaccine but can only give it to those with a prescription even though the CDC has OK’d it for those of us over 65,� Marchman told me.

“They said that the state of Virginia will only let them give it to those with prescriptions. Another pharmacy (Kroger) told me that they have the vaccine but Kroger won’t let them give it to anyone yet. What is going on here and what is the truth about COVID vaccines for those of us over 65?�

And Saturday, Stuart Kelly inquired at two pharmacies about the latest COVID shot. Pharmacists at both told him he and his wife would need prescriptions. So, he sought one through MyChart, the electronic messaging system used by his Carilion primary care doctor.

Monday, Kelly showed me the response, which came from a nurse in the office.

It stated: “Hi, per our upper management we are not able to write prescriptions for the COVID vaccine as of now.� (Curtis, the Carilion spokeswoman, acknowledged that was misinformation.)

“I am livid,� Kelly told me. “I cannot believe our area medical providers have created this extremely dangerous health impasse as its best response to our federal government’s absurd mishandling of Covid vaccination.�

Later, Kelly said, he got a more detailed response from his primary care physician, who he didn’t identify.

The doctor wrote:

“Until (the vaccine) is added to the CDC list insurance companies might not pay for it. For this reason the pharmacies want a prescription, that would make it easier for them to bill patients if insurance does not pay.

“I recommend waiting until after 9/18/2025 to see if the CDC adds it to their recommended list, at which point you should not need a prescription.

“If you would like me to write you a prescription today I will do so.�

We will be hearing a lot more on this soon. Stay tuned!