HHS has set aside as much as $1.1 billion to keep COVID-19 vaccines free through the summer of 2024, sources briefed on the plan told Politico. Under the plan, the federal government would keep a limited supply of vaccines, tests and therapeutics for uninsured individuals.
The COVID-19 public health emergency is set to end May 11. During the PHE, COVID-19 tests and vaccines were free to most Americans. These costs will shift to the commercial market when the emergency ends.
There are over 226 million uninsured people in the U.S., and more could lose coverage as Medicaid continuous coverage requirements end. Moderna and Pfizer have floated commercial prices of up to $130 per dose of COVID-19 vaccines.
The details of the plan are not final, sources told Politico.