News Briefs: CDC Recommends New COVID Shots for Nearly Everyone
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sept. 12 recommended that everyone 6 months and older receive the latest versions of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer Inc.-BioNTech SE and Moderna Inc. — which will be the first wave of COVID vaccines that won’t be paid for by the federal government. During the public health emergency, private payers only had to reimburse providers for administering the vaccines. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “people who don’t have health insurance or with health plans that do not cover the cost can get a free vaccine from their local health centers; state, local, tribal, or territorial health department; and pharmacies participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program.” Most private health plans and all government-backed plans cover CDC-recommended vaccinations without cost sharing for members.
