SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Although ’tis the season to get your COVID-19 booster, many uninsured people are finding it much more difficult to get vaccinated this year.
What was once free now costs over a hundred dollars.
Over the weekend, hundreds of people waited in line in San Francisco’s Mission District to get their free COVID-19 booster shots on 24th Street. Only 200 of them managed to reach the top rank.
“We stopped more than 300 people from getting vaccinated this weekend. It is certain that the need and the demand exist – unfortunately, the supply is what we do not have,” said Susana Rojas, spokesperson word of Unidos en Salud.
The reality is that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer as accessible to people without insurance. This year’s booster can cost between $130 and $140.
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“Is it capitalism or has it all disappeared because, to be honest, I don’t know why they are so expensive. With the investments that these companies have received from taxpayers’ money to develop the vaccines through to Operation Warp Speed and beyond – we They shouldn’t be this expensive,” said Dr. Monica Gandhi, UCSF Infectious Diseases.
According to Dr. Gandhi’s research, at present, it does not cost very much to make these vaccines.
“Something like $25 per injection, so that’s a significant price increase. Five times higher,” Dr. Gandhi said.
At Mission Wellness Pharmacy, the owner sees firsthand the setbacks many are facing right now.
“Some of the limitations would be: if their insurance allowed them to get vaccinated here; if a patient is insured, can they come to Mission Wellness to get vaccinated? said Maria Lopez, owner of Mission Wellness Pharmacy. “Some insurance companies require their patients to go to certain locations.”
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We met Odera Okafor who was waiting in line for her COVID booster appointment at Walgreens. She was shocked to learn the current price and was concerned about the stock aspect of it.
“I didn’t know the price if you didn’t have health insurance. I think it’s kind of crazy,” Okafor said.
If you do not have insurance, the federal Bridge Access program provides free COVID-19 vaccines, but not all pharmacies participate in this program. Dr. Gandhi fears that few people know about this option.
“When they ended the public health emergency on May 11, 2024, this administration promised that we would have continued access through September 2024 to vaccinate underinsured and uninsured patients,” said Dr. Gandhi. ” It’s not always the case. be honored and I really worry about it for uninsured patients.
Dr Gandhi explained who should get vaccinated: “WHO and most organizations say those who are older, those on immunosuppressants and those with multiple co-morbidities. I would encourage these groups to get vaccinated.
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