Federal and state restrictions create more hurdles.
By Kathie Moon
Original Air Date: September 10, 2025
Host: COVID is making the rounds again, but finding and getting the new fall COVID-19 booster is proving a problem for Sarasota and Manatee residents. Kathie Moon has more on that.
Kathie Moon: Recent changes by federal and state authorities confusing people and doctors and pharmacies.
A couple of weeks ago, the FDA approved the latest generation of booster shots, but with new restrictions. And the Federal Center for Disease Control ACIP panel that makes vaccine recommendations will not meet until September 19—which puts many Florida pharmacies in a bind, for now.
So how can you get your COVID booster?
First, you first have to get a prescription from a prescriber like a medical doctor or nurse practitioner, which was not necessary before. Florida law requires that for COVID shots.
Then, find a pharmacy. Shots are available locally. But many local pharmacies told me to check back in a few weeks. That’s because some are not offering COVID shots until the CDC’s ACIP advisory committee’s vaccine recommendations come out around September 19. Current FDA guidelines allow the booster if you are over 65 or, if younger, have at least one underlying condition that puts you at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19. Finally, you have to find a pharmacy that has your prescribed vaccine in stock—Moderna, Novavax or Pfizer.
And, if you have found the right pharmacy, there’s one more hurdle to clear: have the pharmacy check if your health insurance covers it.
Medicare does cover the COVID booster. But for younger people without health insurance coverage, the price for the COVID booster is over $200, according to Sarasota CVS pharmacy.
If you hope the government might give it to you, forget it. Florida’s local Sarasota public health department says they have not had COVID vaccine available for “two years and are unlikely to get it.”
Photo: Abel F. Ros
Last week, Governor DeSantis appeared side by side at a Christian school near Tampa with Florida’s surgeon general. During the press conference, Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced he is recommending to remove all mandated vaccinations for school children. That’s strongly opposed by national medical organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, who cite rising measles and whooping cough outbreaks across the country, as vaccination rates are dropping.
Ladapo and DeSantis may want to remove Florida mandates, but the Florida Legislature is the only government body which can change most required vaccinations for Florida public schools. It will take their vote to remove vaccine mandates for polio, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis, mumps, tetanus and other communicable diseases in the upcoming Legislative session.
Reporting for WSLR News, Kathie Moon.
WSLR News aims to keep the local community informed with our 1/2 hour local news show, quarterly newspaper and social media feeds. The local news broadcast airs on Wednesdays and Fridays at 6pm.
