As updated coronavirus vaccines become available across the U.S., uninsured adults are discovering that the shots, once provided for free, now come with a hefty price tag of up to $200, the Washington Post reports.
This shift comes after the federal Bridge Access Program, which previously covered vaccine costs for those without insurance, was phased out. With the program’s funding depleted, many low-income Americans are left wondering if they can afford the most recent vaccine, which remains critical for protecting against a virus that, while no longer classified as a public health emergency, still poses significant health threats.
The Bridge Access Program, which was supposed to end in December, ran out of money after Congress cut $6.1 billion in coronavirus emergency funding. The program had been instrumental in ensuring that uninsured and underinsured people could obtain COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC has allocated an additional $62 million to purchase vaccines for distribution through state and local health agencies, but experts believe this is insufficient to meet demand.
Nicole Savant, a 33-year-old part-time paralegal and dog walker, was surprised when she was quoted more than $200 for a COVID-19 vaccine at a CVS in St. Louis. Savant, who lost her Medicaid benefits due to a slight increase in income, is now faced with the difficult decision of prioritizing necessary medications over the vaccine.
The situation is further complicated for the 25 million uninsured Americans who tend to be in poorer health and often avoid medical care due to cost concerns. Health experts worry that the already low vaccination rate—only 22 percent of adults are up-to-date on their shots—could drop even further as the financial burden increases.
Although private insurers, Medicare, and Medicaid are required to pay for COVID-19 vaccines, uninsured individuals are left without the backup option provided by the Bridge Access Program. Pfizer and Moderna, the vaccine manufacturers, have stated that they will provide free vaccines through patient assistance programs, but eligibility and scope are unclear.
Community health centers, which provided millions of free vaccines when federal funding was available, are now facing the challenge of reducing their vaccination programs. Local health departments, which are already under financial strain, are left to bear the costs of COVID-19 vaccines, which are significantly higher than those for other vaccines such as the flu shot.
The end of the Bridge Access Program has an impact on undocumented immigrants and international visitors who have limited access to health insurance. Many people cannot afford the vaccine, making them vulnerable to the ongoing COVID-19 threat.
The landscape for COVID-19 vaccination has shifted dramatically since 2021 and 2022, when vaccines were widely distributed for free. While the immediate urgency has subsided, health officials continue to recommend that young and middle-aged adults get vaccinated to reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and long-term complications. However, public health advocates believe that returning to a more traditional healthcare system, in which financial ability determines access to care, is a significant step backward.
