RALEIGH, N.C. — After some pharmacies in some states began requiring prescriptions for a COVID-19 vaccine , North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein announced Friday that new standing orders will allow some citizens easier access to the shot.

Stein said Friday that State Health Director Dr. Larry Greenblatt issued the standing orders to allow seniors over the age of 65 and certain adults over the age of 18 to get the vaccine at a pharmacy without a prescription from a healthcare provider. The standing orders are being issued because the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has not yet given recommendations on updated COVID shots yet for the season. Stein said that without the ACIP recommendations, immunizing pharmacists in North Carolina can only give COVID-19 shots to

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