Brittany Rose said she discovered this firsthand when she inquired about COVID-19 booster shots for her family, including her daughter Madeleine, who was among the first 12-15-year-olds to receive the vaccine in May 2021.

When Rose visited her local CVS in Short Pump recently, she was told she needed a prescription for the updated vaccine something that had never been required before.

"I asked if they had the updated COVID vaccine available and they confirmed that yes they did, but that it couldn't be given without a prescription from our doctors," Rose said.

The prescription requirement stems from changes in federal guidance.

The Virginia Department of Health explained that pharmacists in Virginia can administer vaccines in two ways: either under direct authorization from a medical pr

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