The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has issued Executive Order No. 25-003, recommending that all individuals aged six months and older receive a COVID-19 vaccine during the 2025-2026 respiratory illness season. Alongside this order, the department released a Standing Order allowing pharmacies in New Jersey to provide COVID-19 vaccines without requiring a prescription.
According to Interim Health Commissioner Jeff Brown, “Nueva Jersey se compromete a defender los principios que salvaguardan a nuestras familias y protegen la salud de nuestras comunidades. Se trata de un acceso equitativo a la vacuna COVID-19, que se ha demostrado que previene enfermedades graves y hospitalizaciones,” said Brown. “Especialmente a medida que entramos en la temporada de resfriados y gripe y más aún cuando los estudiantes están de regreso a la escuela, asà también se recuerda a los residentes de Nueva Jersey que se mantengan al dÃa con todas sus vacunas.”
These measures come as the respiratory virus season begins and as COVID-19 cases rise across the country, particularly in western and southern regions. The actions follow recent changes by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which revoked its Emergency Use Authorization for COVID-19 vaccines and limited eligibility for vaccination.
Under the executive order signed by Interim Commissioner Brown, anyone six months or older can receive a COVID-19 vaccine in New Jersey, removing barriers created by recent federal changes. The department also recommends residents consult with healthcare providers about their risk factors and possible complications from COVID-19 to determine the best vaccination approach.
The executive order is based on scientific recommendations from trusted medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Academy of Family Physicians, and the University of Minnesota’s Vaccine Integrity Project.
The standing order signed today serves as a prescription for anyone aged three years or older to receive an authorized COVID-19 vaccine at pharmacies without needing an individual prescription. Deputy Commissioner for Public Health Services Dr. Novneet Sahu signed the order authorizing pharmacies and medical professionals within their scope of practice and applicable federal authority to administer FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines to eligible individuals according to age guidelines.
“Si bien el COVID-19 se ha convertido en parte de nuestras vidas, todavÃa tenemos herramientas efectivas para minimizar los brotes y reducir el riesgo de complicaciones graves, incluyendo las vacunas actualizadas,” said Dr. Sahu. “Las vacunas siguen siendo nuestra defensa más poderosa, ya que ayudan a limitar la propagación del virus, protegiendo a las personas y las comunidades, y reducen los impactos sociales más amplios, como faltar a la escuela o el trabajo, y adicionalmente reducen la presión en nuestros sistemas de atención médica.”
Recently, the FDA restricted approval of COVID-19 vaccines for 2025-2026 to people aged 65 or older or those with certain underlying medical conditions but did not specify which conditions are considered high-risk. Previously identified high-risk conditions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include pregnancy, asthma, diabetes, and physical inactivity.
These federal changes were announced by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on social media platforms rather than through standard scientific review processes. This led to confusion since they conflict with previous CDC recommendations.
Previously updated CDC vaccination schedules had included shared decision-making recommendations between doctors and patients for healthy children and pregnant women. In recent years, vaccines have generally been available for anyone six months or older.
Governor Murphy’s administration strongly encourages all health insurance companies to continue covering COVID-19 vaccine costs for everyone six months or older without cost-sharing requirements. However, these new state actions do not guarantee insurance coverage under all plans; efforts will continue to support vaccine affordability.
“Se trata de empoderar a los residentes para que tomen decisiones sobre su propia salud,” added Interim Commissioner Brown. “También es parte de un esfuerzo estatal que incluye la coordinación con nuestras agencias hermanas para proteger el acceso a las vacunas para cualquier persona que elija recibirla.”
As part of broader efforts for public health preparedness and affordable care access in New Jersey, NJDOH convened an Interagency Vaccine Task Force in late August to address potential disruptions in vaccine availability and coverage. The task force includes leaders from departments such as Human Services; Children and Families; Education; Banking & Insurance; Consumer Affairs Division; Law & Public Safety; and Treasury.
New vaccines are expected to be available at some locations now and statewide in coming weeks at primary care providers’ offices, pharmacy chains, federally qualified health centers, and other healthcare institutions.
Further information about access to COVID-19 vaccines is available at https://nj.gov/health/vaccines.
