Minnesota’s top doctor has issued a standing order allowing pharmacists to give COVID-19 vaccines without prescriptions to a broader group of patients than federally recommended.

The state Department of Health announced the order and that it was aligning with national medical organizations in encouraging broader use of the vaccines.

“Vaccines are one of the greatest public health achievements in modern medicine,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Ruth Lynfield, adding that people should consider the protection they offer against influenza, COVID and the virus RSV at the start of respiratory disease season.

The state vaccine policy actions this week represent an unprecedented break from federal recommendations. Historically, Minnesota has parroted guidance from the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That changed after President Donald Trump appointed a high-profile vaccine skeptic, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as his Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary.