Since the first COVID-19 vaccines rolled out, the federal government has worked to make sure that everyone could get vaccinated at no cost. For the past year, that has been made possible through the CDC’s Bridge Access Program, which allows uninsured and underinsured Americans to get free COVID-19 vaccines.
People on social media are now claiming that this program is coming to an end with the release of the latest COVID-19 booster vaccine. They say that uninsured and underinsured people will no longer be able to get free COVID-19 vaccinations as a result.
THE QUESTION
Is the CDC ending its program to provide free COVID-19 vaccines for uninsured and underinsured people?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
Yes, the CDC is ending its program to provide free COVID-19 vaccines for uninsured and underinsured people. However, there are still ways for people without insurance to get COVID-19 vaccines for free through local health departments and community organizations.
WHAT WE FOUND
The introduction of the updated COVID-19 vaccines means that the Bridge Access Program, which offered free COVID-19 vaccinations to uninsured and underinsured people, has ended.
The newest COVID-19 vaccines will be free for most people through private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health say. And while underinsured and uninsured Americans may have a harder time getting free COVID-19 vaccinations without the Bridge Access Program, there are still a few options available for those people to get vaccinated for free.
On Aug. 22, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the 2024-2025 mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. That means last year’s COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be administered, which also means the Bridge Access Program is ending, according to the CDC.
Through the Bridge Access Program, the federal government purchased vaccines and then worked with pharmacies to distribute them to uninsured or underinsured people.
According to a CDC price list, the updated Moderna vaccine is $141.80 before insurance. The Pfizer vaccine is $136.75 before insurance. There may also be an administration fee. CVS says its COVID-19 vaccinations will cost $201.99 for people without insurance.
But there are still some avenues for people without insurance or who are underinsured to get their vaccines for free.
Children under 18 may be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine for free through the CDC’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program.
Both the CDC and Johns Hopkins say underinsured and uninsured people can attempt to find free or low-cost COVID-19 vaccines through clinics run by local or state health departments. Local community organizations may also offer free or low-cost COVID-19 vaccines, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says.
People can contact and find information from their local health department through this directory.
This story is also available in Spanish / Lee este artículo también en español: Sí, los CDC terminarán su programa que ofrece vacunas gratuitas de COVID-19 a personas sin seguro
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