The US has introduced new federal guidelines on who can receive COVID-19 vaccines, causing confusion about access to these life-saving shots.
The FDA has approved three new vaccine makers – Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax – but with caveats. The vaccines are now only recommended for people over 65 or those younger and healthier individuals with conditions that make them vulnerable to severe COVID-19, such as asthma, cancer, heart or lung problems.
This shift raises questions about whether pharmacists will administer the shots and if insurers will cover them. Nineteen states have laws or regulations that only allow pharmacists to give vaccines recommended by independent experts who advise the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pharmacists may be reluctant to administer shots outside of FDA-approved guidelines, and some states’ laws could limit access to these vaccines even for eligible individuals. For people over 65, Medicare will cover the vaccines, but others need to check with their insurance provider or employer.
Insurers say they consider various factors when deciding coverage, including doctor groups’ recommendations and potential cost savings from preventing medical care like hospital stays. Conflicting opinions among health experts have also raised questions about what guidance patients should follow.
Despite conflicting advice, doctors recommend annual vaccinations for older people and those with health conditions. An annual shot can boost immunity and prevent severe COVID-19 cases. However, population immunity has waned over time, leaving some protection against new infections.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/covid-19-vaccine-insurance-coverage-pharmacists-16b166a86548b37849eff2debc6e6100