On Sept. 19, Gov. Katie Hobbs announced that the Arizona Department of Health Services issued a standing order ensuring access to the 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine for all Arizonans ages 6 months and older.
This standing order serves as a prescription to help enable pharmacists and health care providers in Arizona to administer the vaccine to anyone who wants to receive it. This comes after Hobbs signed an executive order directing ADHS to make the updated COVID-19 vaccine broadly accessible and available to Arizonans who want one. This directive follows the evidence-based recommendations of health care professional organizations.
“We are securing Arizonans’ health care freedom,” Hobbs said. “I took action to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines and give Arizonans who want one the ability to get one. I applaud the Department of Health Services for working quickly to ensure broad access to the COVID vaccine and for continuing their efforts to educate Arizona about the public health benefits of vaccines.”
“Vaccines are one of the most important tools we have to protect our communities,” said ADHS Public Health Medical Advisor Dr. Richard Carmona, who served as the 17th Surgeon General of the United States. “The COVID-19 vaccine has proven to be safe and effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccines help us limit the spread of disease and reduce pressure on our health care system.”
The ADHS standing order expands last month’s U.S. Food and Drug Administration limited eligibility, allowing anyone aged 6 years or older to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy without having an individualized prescription. For children aged 6 months to 6 years, the vaccine is available through health care providers, not pharmacies. It should be noted the standing order does not guarantee all pharmacies will offer vaccinations under the standing order or that insurances will cover vaccine administration costs.
“We understand the federal changes have caused confusion about eligibility for vaccination. We are committed to keeping the public updated on our recommendations throughout this respiratory season. ADHS has updated our website with the latest information on what the standing order means for Arizonans,” ADHS Interim Director Sheila Sjolander said.
A copy of the ADHS standing order is available at the ADHS website.
