ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - On Friday, Atlanta pharmacist Ira Katz gave a warning about ongoing confusion on getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

“The government is tying our hands. Too many people are going to get sick, and die, and potentially die if we don’t do what we need to do today,” said Katz, owner of Little Five Points Pharmacy.

For roughly a week, Katz said he’s been getting calls and emails from those unable to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

“There’s still a lot of confusion out there, and then when I tell them they need a prescription, ‘Well I don’t have a doctor,’ (they respond.) So that makes things difficult,” said Katz.

Katz said state pharmacy guidance now requires those 65 and older to have a prescription, filled out by their primary care physician, to acquire a COVID-19 booster shot.

He said many of those seeking a vaccine are not aware of this change.

Earlier this week, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) issued new guidance around administering the updated 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine. Officials said because they had not received CDC or ACIP, also known as Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, recommendations and clinical guidance for administering the new vaccine, pharmacies and providers should adjust their protocols.

Katz said he does not have the 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine in stock at his pharmacy. Other larger chains do have the vaccine, but are also requiring a prescription for it to be administered.

A CVS pharmacy spokesperson told Atlanta News First that Georgia is one of 11 states who are now requiring prescriptions for COVID-19 vaccinations. The other states are Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, North Carolina, New Mexico, New York, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia. Washington D.C. is also included.

Laura Walker, who lives in North Druid Hills, learned about the new change after calling CVS pharmacies across the city trying to find a COVID shot.

“I got online and scanned all of Atlanta. Like everything in Atlanta, and it said there was nowhere in Atlanta to get it,” she said.

Walker eventually learned that a prescription was needed and contacted her primary care physician.

She was able to get a COVID-19 vaccine on Friday in Toco Hills. She fears the prescription-requirement and changing directives will deter people from getting the vaccine.

“I think the people who really need it the most may not get it, and that’s what’s scary,” said Walker.

Walker is now concerned that her 49-year-old sister, who has risk factors making her eligible to get the vaccine, will not be able to get it because she’s not above 65 years of age.

Katz said he also is worried about those low-income, those in rural communities or seniors who are not tech savvy to access a vaccine.

He urged community members to contact state and federal lawmakers to help ease access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

On Sept. 18, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet, where it could potentially greenlight pharmacies to provide vaccinations without a prescription.

“If they don’t meet again and approve it, then, how much longer can we wait? At what point are we going to be in a possible pandemic situation,” Katz said.

Atlanta News First reached out to the Georgia Department of Health about the vaccine confusion. A spokesperson referred ANF to a recent statement, adding that the new guidance around the COVID-19 vaccine does not impact someone’s ability to access another vaccine.

While the Georgia Department of Health stopped publishing Georgia’s COVID case count in March 2024, on Friday, a spokesperson told ANF that “COVID activity is moderate and increased relative to last week, but remains at lower levels than last year at this time.”

According to the Department of Health, Georgia has seen an increase in COVID-related hospitalizations in the state since early August.

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