Governor Kathy Hochul has announced new measures aimed at maintaining access to vaccines for residents across New York State. The Department of Financial Services (DFS) is issuing guidance to insurers, urging them to continue covering all vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) as of the current date. ACIP provides recommendations on vaccine use in the United States, and insurance coverage often follows these guidelines.
The guidance also reminds insurers about previously issued requirements that mandate coverage for COVID-19 vaccines for children. Insurers are further encouraged to work with employers and other entities offering self-funded health care plans to ensure ongoing vaccine coverage. These steps build upon Governor Hochul’s earlier Executive Order, which allows pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines and aims to facilitate access to the updated 2025-26 COVID shot.
“New Yorkers deserve to have the resources available to get vaccinated if they choose to, and Republicans in Washington should not be able to take that from them,” Governor Hochul said. “Vaccines not only prevent people from getting sick — they can save lives and prevent the spread of infectious diseases, especially as we approach our colder seasons and our children are back in schools.”
Superintendent of Financial Services Adrienne A. Harris stated, “Public health experts have been clear that vaccines are an essential tool in combating the spread of infectious diseases and lowering the cost of health care. The cost of a vaccine should not be a barrier to this critical care. DFS strongly encourages insurers to continue to provide comprehensive vaccine coverage for all New Yorkers.”
Dr. James McDonald, New York State Health Commissioner, commented on recent data: “In 2024, we lost 2,775 New Yorkers related to COVID, that is enough to fill 7 jumbo jets. Vaccines are the best protection from serious illness and hospitalization. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her leadership in taking swift action to ensure that vaccines remain accessible and affordable for families across our state. By safeguarding coverage and availability, we can prevent illness, save lives and keep our communities healthy as we head into the colder months.”
New York is collaborating with other Northeastern states through a regional public health initiative designed to coordinate vaccination strategies, disease monitoring efforts, emergency preparedness planning, and resource sharing among public health laboratories.
More information is available by reading DFS’s Guidance Letter to New York’s insurance industry.
