Protesters drown out Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as he announced a budget deal with legislative leaders.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order Sept. 8 to safeguard vaccine accessibility, nearly two weeks after the Food and Drug Administration approved the latest round of COVID-19 vaccines.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Sept. 27 put tighter restrictions on who can access the new shots.

"The emergency use authorizations for Covid vaccines, once used to justify broad mandates on the general public during the Biden administration, are now rescinded," Kennedy wrote Aug. 27 on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Those over 65 years of age and patients with existing health problems will be recommended for the COVID-19 vaccines under the new guidelines, according to new FDA guidelines.

Walz's new executive order gives healthcare providers the ability to "use their medical judgment" to recommend and administer vaccines.

“Vaccines are one of the greatest public health achievements in modern medicine,” Walz wrote in a statement. “While the Trump Administration attempts to limit Americans’ access to preventative care, Minnesota will be guided by science and medical expertise, prioritizing the health and safety of our people.”

The Minnesota Department of Health will review immunization recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, and issue a protocol no later than Sept. 24.

The MDH and Minnesota Department of Commerce will meet with medical professionals and industry stakeholders to identify barriers to vaccine access and provide Walz recommendations for potential solutions by Oct. 6.

Kennedy didn't provide a reason for the recommendation change. However, the recommendation doesn't mean vaccines are unavailable to those who want it.

"These vaccines are available for all patients who choose them after consulting with their doctors," Kennedy wrote in the post.

Insurance companies typically adhere to the federal recommendation, according to USA TODAY, and those who don't fit the federal recommendation could pay for vaccines out of pocket, which could potentially cost about $200.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Gov. Tim Walz to maintain COVID-19 vaccine access in Minnesota despite new FDA guidelines

Reporting by Corey Schmidt, USA TODAY NETWORK / St. Cloud Times

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