COVID-19 vaccine will remain free for the uninsured population

WHEN SUPPLIES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RUN OUT

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A new plan to stimulate vaccination against COVID-19 among the most vulnerable population is being designed by the US Department of Health and Human Services (US-HHS) and the White House. The Biden administration indicated that it is a program of about one billion dollars to be allocated to provide vaccines and treatments against covid-19 at no cost to people without health insurance once the supplies paid for by the federal government are exhausted. At that time, additionally, the health emergency due to the pandemic will have ended.

As CNN reports, citing a fact sheet distributed by the White House, this two-part initiative would use pharmacies, county health departments, and federally-backed health centers to provide Covid-19 care. Funds to be allocated should support the program through December 2024. Currently, Americans can receive Covid-19 vaccines and certain treatments free of charge because the federal government purchased them for distribution to the general public.

Vacuna del COVID seguirá gratuita para la población sin seguro

NAHP’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS | The Secretary Xavier Becerra together with the editors Jesús Sánchez Meleán, El Comercio de Colorado; Rafael Ulloa, El Tiempo Latino and El Planeta in Boston; Evelyn Castro, The Houston Press; Ricardo Hurtado, El Sol- Philadelphia and Miami; José Somalo, Today in Delaware; and Lizeth Ortega Luna, Solidarity Strategies. (Picture/Press HHS)

When that supply runs out, the products will move to the commercial market after Congress refused to provide more funding to buy additional supplies. Most people with insurance will be able to continue getting vaccinated for free, but that’s not the case for those without coverage. This program requires the creation of a public-private partnership for local and national pharmacies to apply covid-19 vaccines for adults.

Vaccines and treatments

The federal government will provide a per-dose payment to pharmacies to cover the cost of administering the vaccines. The Biden administration will also cover treatments with antiviral drugs Paxlovid and Lagevrio for people without health insurance. The federal government also seeks to encourage pharmacies and health centers to serve the population in areas with low rates of access to preventive health and with low levels of vaccination. These pharmacies or health centers would receive a monetary stimulus.

To inform the uninsured about the program, pharmacies are expected to conduct outreach activities and work with community groups that focus on underserved populations. However, public health policy analysts say it remains to be seen how many pharmacies choose to participate. HHS will work to establish contracts with pharmacies over the next several months with the goal of launching the program in the fall, according to the fact sheet.

That document that CNN attributes to the White House indicates that pharmacies that have participated in the “COVID-19 Test to Treat” program of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other associations established during the pandemic to join the effort of the federal government. In addition, the federal administration relies heavily on drug manufacturers to provide free vaccines and treatment to the uninsured.

Pharmaceuticals assume the commitment

The aforementioned document indicates several times that pharmaceutical companies have promised to do so. HHS also expects manufacturers to provide the vaccines to participating pharmacies, which will be compensated through the pharmaceutical companies’ patient assistance programs. Moderna has already indicated that it would provide the vaccines at no cost to the uninsured through its patient assistance program. Pfizer has also pointed to its assistance program for patients without health insurance.

To inform the Hispanic population

The Secretary Xavier Becerra held a meeting with the directors of the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP) in his office in the city of Washington. In this meeting, Secretary Becerra showed the federal government’s interest in continuing efforts to inform the Hispanic population in all areas of the country, even in the most remote areas of the United States, about the need to continue protecting themselves against COVID-19.

Secretary Becerra confirmed his meeting with the NAHP on his Twitter account. “In meeting with NAHP members, we have discussed the importance of connecting with communities in many areas that are hard to reach. A large part of this population is vital and of great importance to be able to achieve success in the vaccination efforts that we are carrying out,” Becerra said.

Ricardo Hurtado, director of NAHP, highlighted that the 700 media outlets that are members of this organization played a very important role in keeping the Hispanic population informed at each stage of the pandemic. “We are going to continue fulfilling our role as leading organizations to create awareness about the importance of getting vaccinated and maintaining hygiene and sanitation practices,” concluded Hurtado.