Confusion over COVID-19 vaccine access in Virginia is clearing up after new guidance from the state’s health department confirmed that prescriptions are no longer required for most adults.

The Virginia Department of Health has issued a statewide standing order allowing pharmacists to administer the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine to Virginians 65 and older and adults 18 to 64 with underlying health conditions without a prescription.

Virginia seniors and high-risk adults will get easier COVID-19 vaccine access under new state order eliminating prescription requirement.

Virginia released its COVID vaccine guidance, allowing seniors easy access, but babies, who are high-risk for the disease, will need a prescription.

Virginia Department of Health reverses previous FDA order for COVID shots that were only approved for people 65 and older.

Virginia’s health department issued an order that will make it easier for some adults to get a COVID vaccine at their local pharmacy amid the ongoing confusion and difficulty many Americans have had in obtaining shots since changes to federal guidance under Health Secretary Robert F.

Drug overdose-related deaths are decreasing across the state, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi spoke with a representative of the Central Shenandoah Health District about this trend and their overdose prevention services.