Vaccine access tightens: medical leaders warn millions face new Covid-19 shot barriers

As the national COVID-19 emergency officially ended in 2020, vaccine access in the United States has tightened, raising concerns among medical leaders about new barriers for millions seeking shots.

Previously free vaccines and boosters are no longer universally available at no cost, especially impacting the uninsured. According to the CDC, Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines can now cost up to $150 without insurance.

Tina Tan, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, warned, "This decision could make it significantly harder for millions of Americans to access vaccines they want for themselves and their families."

The policy shift coincides with changes in vaccine advisory panels, including the firing of the entire group by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who appointed members with vaccine-critical views, raising concerns about the quality of future recommendations.

Steven Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, emphasized the stakes for vulnerable populations: "As ob-gyns who treat patients every day, we have seen firsthand how dangerous COVID-19 infection can be during pregnancy and for newborns who depend on maternal antibodies from the vaccine for protection."

Experts note that vaccines remain the best protection against severe COVID-19 outcomes, but the combination of increased costs and shifting policies threatens to reduce uptake, potentially leading to preventable illness and death.

The evolving landscape underscores the tension between public health priorities and political decisions, with calls for renewed focus on equitable vaccine access to protect all Americans.

Medical leaders warn that millions of Americans face new barriers to COVID-19 vaccines as the national emergency ends, making shots no longer free for the uninsured. Experts express concern over policy shifts and rising costs, with some vaccines costing up to $150, potentially limiting access for vulnerable groups.