DENVER — Doctors are warning about the barriers people could face getting their COVID-19 vaccine this fall.
They say it’s a combination of accessibility because of manufacturing and distribution, cost, and lack of insurance.
“As a physician I’ve been really alarmed and shocked,” said 9NEWS medical expert Dr. Payal Kohli.
Doctors are having a tough time getting the vaccine, as well.
“Retail pharmacies are being prioritized first for the vaccines over doctors’ offices, but the problem is, a lot of the retail pharmacies don't have the staff, they don't have the infrastructure,” Dr. Kohli said.
Walgreens tells 9NEWS some pharmacies were impacted earlier this week, but more appointments have since been added.
“For a lot of them, they are not giving vaccines if somebody is uninsured or underinsured because they're worried about cost and reimbursement to themselves,” Dr. Kohli said. “So they’re being asked to pay $190 or $200 out of pocket, which people are not going to be readily willing to do.”
Vaccine manufacturers tell Dr. Kohli they sell the vaccine to retail manufacturers for $100.
“So there’s a 100% markup on these vaccines,” Dr. Kohli said. “It used to be with the public health emergency that everybody, regardless of age, citizenship status, regardless of insurance could walk into any retail pharmacy and get a vaccine, now with the end of the public health emergency, medicine has become a business again.”
There is an option for people without insurance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Bridge Access Program" partners with some pharmacies and health clinics to still offer free COVID-19 vaccines even now. But NBC News reports those shipments have been delayed.
Katrina Bellis helps people find vaccine appointments. She said this has all been especially tough on parents.
“Me being one of them, my own pediatrician doesn't have the cold fridge so I either have to go through Children's or Tri-County or figure out a way to get my daughter one,” Bellis said. “She’s not at the threshold to get one at say, Walgreens, so the young kids are still at a huge issue of getting shots.”
Walgreens said later this month, they'll offer appointments for kids three years and older. CVS offers the shot for patients 18 months and older at some locations.
These are all factors contributing to vaccine fatigue, ahead of a fourth season worried about the combination of COVID-19, the flu, and now RSV.
“I feel like if somebody wants a shot, they should be able to get a shot,” said Bellis.
Health - Latest - Google News
October 15, 2023 at 06:00PM
https://ift.tt/WrSGh8p
Doctor warns about difficulty accessing COVID-19 vaccine this fall - 9News.com KUSA
Health - Latest - Google News
https://ift.tt/PiCwF2U
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Doctor warns about difficulty accessing COVID-19 vaccine this fall - 9News.com KUSA"
Post a Comment