Uninsured? How to get the COVID shot for free following expiration of vaccine program

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — A higher price for the COVID vaccine is affecting many people after the expiration of the Bridge Access federal program.

READ|Md. healthcare centers receive $935K in federal funding to provide free COVID-19 vaccines

“As part of the previous federal budget negotiations process, the funding for that program was removed. So, it ended in early August,” said Dr. Nina Ashford of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.

According to Ashford, new immigrants, the homeless, and part-time workers are most likely affected by the change.

“So, while it is a smaller proportion of the population, it tends to be a higher risk group. A group that really needs to access healthcare,”Dr. Ashford said.

Ashford told 7News that 6.7% of Montgomery County’s population lacks insurance.

7News reached out to the Maryland Department of Health to find out what’s being done to fix the issue.

A spokesperson for the department explained that the state has about 358,900 uninsured residents, saying, “Maryland is working on an option for those without insurance, and Maryland also still has the Vaccines for Children program, which helps uninsured children. “

Dr. Ashton showed us how the uninsured can log on to the HRSA Data Warehousetofind a local health center where they could get a free Covid vaccine.

“Access to Covid vaccines are our first line of defense to preventing those more severe outcomes,” she said.

7News reached out to D.C. and Virginia’s health departments to find out how they’re responding to the expiration of the Bridge Access Program.

Christy Gray, Director of the Division of Immunization in the Office of Epidemiology in the Virginia Department of Health, provided the following statement:

“The VDH Vaccines for Children program (VFC) covers vaccines for uninsured children.

Parents can find a Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provider near them on the VDH website.

Adults without insurance should contact their LHD (local health department) about vaccination or can search for a Vaccines for Adults program (VFA) provider near them on the VDH website.

Find vaccine locations, schedule an appointment, and/or request vaccine records at vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1).”

The Centers for Disease Control also provided a statement:

“CDC is enhancing immunization programs through support to state and local health departments to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines for uninsured and underinsured people to help protect them from the worst effects of the virus.

This investment provides additional resources to ensure these life-saving vaccines are available beyond the conclusion of the Bridge Access Program, which vaccinated over 1.5 million people against COVID-19 over the last year.

The Administration has proposed a permanent Vaccines for Adults program in the last three years of the President’s Budget, including the FY 2025 President’s Budget.

The program—if enacted by Congress—will expand access to routine and outbreak vaccines for uninsured individuals, at no cost to eligible recipients.

As a result, the program would improve vaccine equity, improve outbreak control of vaccine-preventable diseases, and expand the infrastructure needed for responding to future pandemics.”

The D.C. Department of Health has not yet provided a statement.