In response to the ongoing high levels of Covid-19 activity across the US, government officials have announced the reinstatement of programs offering free tests, vaccines, and treatments to combat the winter respiratory virus season. Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant and utilizing available tools like vaccines, testing, and treatment to prevent illnesses that cause a majority of fall and winter deaths and hospitalizations.
Free Covid tests, as well as government-purchased supplies of the antiviral drug Paxlovid, will be made available at no charge to uninsured individuals, as well as those on Medicare or Medicaid. Additional funding has been allocated to state and local health departments by the CDC to provide free Covid vaccines for uninsured and underinsured adults, with free vaccines continuing to be offered to children in low-income families through the Vaccines for Children program.
Looking forward to the winter, the CDC forecasts a similar or lower number of hospitalizations for respiratory diseases compared to last year. However, the forecast could change depending on vaccination rates and the emergence of new variants or more severe strains of Covid-19 or the flu.
New Covid-19 vaccines that protect against current variants have been approved by the FDA, alongside updated flu vaccines. Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, stressed the importance of vaccination to prevent severe outcomes from Covid, including long Covid.
Although the federal Bridge Access Program has ended, $62 million will be distributed to state and local health departments to provide free Covid-19 vaccines to adults who cannot afford them. Additionally, vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) will also be available for at-risk populations.
Starting in late September, the government will reopen its Covidtests.gov website, allowing households to order up to four free at-home tests. The program has been successful, delivering over 900 million tests since 2021. Free tests will also be available at community sites such as libraries, food banks, and long-term care facilities.
The government’s Paxcess program, operated by Pfizer, will continue to distribute free Paxlovid to eligible individuals through the end of the year, with Pfizer taking over the program in 2025. Merck also runs a patient assistance program for its Covid-19 antiviral medication, Lagevrio.