Updated COVID-19 boosters designed to target the omicron variant will be provided at no cost, regardless of insurance status, CMS said Sept. 12.
In a press release, the agency said individuals with Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance or no insurance can continue to receive COVID-19 vaccines and the updated boosters for no cost as long as the federal government continues to purchase them.
The CDC approved the updated boosters targeting omicron subvariants B.A4 and B.A5 Sept. 1.
Ashish Jha, MD, White House COVID-19 response coordinator, said Sept. 12 that high-risk individuals should get boosted immediately, and the rest of the population should get the shot before Halloween.