New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar has announced plans to introduce the “Robert F. Kennedy, Sr. Vaccine Access Act,” a measure designed to counter what she described as the Trump Administration’s “anti-vaxxer pseudoscience” and ensure universal access to lifesaving vaccines.

The legislation follows reports that some pharmacy chains in New York have denied COVID-19 vaccine appointments or required prescriptions, citing “unscientific guidelines” issued by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

According to a statement from the Assemblywoman’s office, the bill would mandate that pharmacies offer appointments for COVID-19 and other vaccines without requiring a prescription, basing access solely on medical science rather than federal guidelines. It also proposes removing “all statutory references to recommendations” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), replacing them with the term “medically recommended.”

The legislation is intended to empower pharmacies and other vaccine providers to act immediately in offering immunizations. In addition to protecting access to COVID-19 vaccines, it aims to prevent future restrictions on vaccines for RSV, influenza, polio, measles, and other preventable diseases.

“When Albany passed laws contingent upon CDC guidelines, no one anticipated RFK Jr. turning the agency into the Center for Dumb Clowns. This bill is an ode to true leaders like Robert F. Kennedy, Sr., who gave our country the medicine of leadership, not the poison of conspiracy theories,” she added. “Coming from a family of doctors, I stepped up to bring healing to our politics, taking pseudoscience head-on so that all New Yorkers can enjoy good health. Denying COVID-19 vaccines is unconscionable and diametrically opposed to all medical science. New York must stand up for health and common sense. We must be the change we need.”

Currently, COVID-19 continues to cause approximately 300 deaths in the United States each week. Public health experts estimate that vaccines have prevented more than 14 million deaths globally.

The bill is named in honor of former New York State Senator and U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Sr. The official bill number will be announced when available.

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