WHEREAS, Arizonans should be trusted to make decisions about their health care in consultation with their health care providers; and

WHEREAS, Arizonans have been free to decide whether to seek a COVID-19 vaccine for themselves and their families for several years; and

WHEREAS, vaccinations have had a profoundly beneficial impact on Arizonans’ wellbeing, including by preventing widespread infectious diseases; and

WHEREAS, in preparation for the 2025–2026 respiratory disease season, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expect the peak weekly hospitalization rate due to COVID-19 will be similar to or higher than that of last season; and

WHEREAS, doctors and other health care professionals continue to recommend routine COVID-19 vaccination, including:

• The American Academy of Pediatrics, which recently published a vaccination schedule for individuals 18 years of age and younger, and recommends the COVID-19 vaccines for this population;
• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which continues to recommend that all pregnant and lactating women receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine;
• The American Academy of Family Physicians, which recommends that all adults 18 years and older receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and supports ongoing immunization access for any family wanting to be vaccinated against COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on August 27, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved updated COVID-19 vaccine formulations, which were developed to immunize against the COVID-19 variant that the FDA and World Health Organization (“WHO”) have determined to be the greatest threat during the 2025–2026 respiratory disease season; and

WHEREAS, unlike every other year, the FDA’s approval of the COVID-19 vaccinations was limited to populations aged 65 and older and those at higher risk of severe disease; and

WHEREAS, this limited approval is in conflict with both scientific, peer-reviewed evidence and the evidence-based recommendations of trusted healthcare professional organizations. The limited approval is also contrary to recent prior federal recommendations that had affirmatively recommended COVID-19 vaccines for the broader public, based on a cumulative body of trusted, peer-reviewed scientific research. All available scientific, trusted, and peer-reviewed evidence indicates that the currently available COVID-19 vaccines are safe, and are the most effective way of preventing serious illness, hospitalization, and death; and

WHEREAS, the FDA’s limited approval excludes populations within the State who would benefit from a COVID-19 vaccination, should they choose to obtain one, and who have otherwise had access to a COVID-19 vaccination for several years; and

WHEREAS, it is crucial that Arizona healthcare providers continue to be trusted to use their medical judgment and training to recommend and administer vaccines within the scope of their practice, to follow scientific, peer-reviewed studies, and to utilize the guidance of trusted, national health care organizations; and

WHEREAS, hospitalizations for severe COVID-19 symptoms can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and strain Arizona hospital systems and our healthcare workforce; and

WHEREAS, restricted access to the COVID-19 vaccine significantly harms the Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona’s tribal health agencies, and local health agencies’ duties to support public health and safety through prevention.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Katie Hobbs, Governor of the State of Arizona, by virtue of the power vested in me by the Arizona Constitution and the laws of this State, hereby order and direct as follows:

1. The Arizona Department of Health Services (“ADHS” or “Department”) shall coordinate with the Board of Pharmacy to ensure broad access and availability to vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccines approved by the FDA as of August 27, 2025, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
2. Pursuant to ADHS’s authority to control and prevent communicable disease, and if appropriate, ADHS will issue a standing order that serves as a prescription for pharmacists and healthcare providers to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in accordance with nationally-recognized professional clinical guidance that ensures the broadest possible access.
3. To help accomplish this goal, the Board of Pharmacy is requested to provide guidance on administering Department-issued standing orders to qualified pharmacists and, as necessary, to undertake an emergency rulemaking process to provide clarity.
4. The Department shall continue to provide guidance to the public, healthcare providers, payors, and pharmacists on vaccine access, vaccine safety, efficacy, and effectiveness.
5. The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions shall coordinate with and encourage all health insurance plans under its regulatory authority to continue to cover COVID-19 vaccines.
6. ADHS shall continue monitoring whether additional measures, including the use of standing orders, protocols, or public health resources, are necessary to provide clarity, guidance, and access to other routine vaccines.
7. This Executive Order shall not confer any legal rights or remedies upon any person and shall not be used as a basis for legal challenges to any action or inaction of a State Agency, officer, employee, or agent thereof.
8. If any provision of this Executive Order or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity does not affect any other provision or application of this Executive Order that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Executive Order are declared to be severable.

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon signature and shall remain in effect until repealed, replaced, or rescinded by future Executive Order.