COVID shots are no longer free for the uninsured
The latest batch of COVID booster shots is out, tailored to better protect people from the Omicron variants, but be prepared to pay up if you don’t have health insurance.
The roughly 25 million Americans without health insurance will pay up to $200 for the shots because the federal program that covered the cost of the vaccines for uninsured and underinsured people ran out of funding.
Augusta pharmacy is 1st to offer medical THC in CSRA
For years, some Georgians have had to drive hours to get their hands on the medicine they’ve been prescribed.
The federal Bridge Access Program, which was set to end this December, expired early because of a move by Congress.
They rescinded $6.1 billion in COVID emergency spending as part of a deal to avoid a government shutdown.
Congress also blocked a Biden istration proposal that would provide free immunizations.
Moderna and Pfizer’s new shots are formulated to better protect against the circulating Omicron variant KP.2.
West Nile strikes in Augusta as cases soar with mosquitoes
Cases of West Nile virus are growing across the state – including in Augusta. And it probably won’t get better, considering the boom in mosquitoes fueled by the standing water Tropical Storm Debby brought.
Novavax vaccine shot boosters, formulated to target the Omicron variant JN.1 strain, were approved Friday by the Food and Drug istration.
Novavax makes a protein-based vaccine mixed with an immune booster, a different technology than Pfizer and Moderna’s so-called mRNA vaccines, the Associated Press reported.
Pfizer and Moderna said free vaccines would be available through a patient assistance program, but it’s still unclear who would qualify for the free shots.
Death toll rises in listeria outbreak, including 2 in S.C.
Several people have died – including two in South Carolina – after being infected with listeria from Boar’s Head deli meats tied to a massive recall.
Private insurers, Medicare and Medicaid are still required to pay for COVID vaccines.
And vaccines for children are still covered through the Vaccines for Children Program.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months old or older get an updated COVID vaccine.
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