CDC's free COVID-19 vaccine program for uninsured to end in August instead of December

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has moved up the ending of its free COVID-19 vaccine program earlier than expected, with the program ending in August instead of at the end of the year.

The CDC established the Bridge Access Program in September of 2023, which provides free COVID-19 vaccines and boosters for uninsured adults, and adults whose insurance program does not cover the vaccines and boosters. It has provided vaccines and boosters for more than 1.4 million people since its inception.

A spokesperson for the CDC said the program will expire at the end of August because its funding is running out. The program gives out the vaccines by partnering with CVS, Walgreens and eTrueNorth pharmacies.

“After August, there may be a small amount of free vaccine available through health department immunization programs, but supply would be very limited,” CDC spokesperson David Daigle said Thursday.  “We don’t yet know if the manufacturers will have patient assistance programs.”

The end to the program comes after the CDC reversed its COVID guidance in March on how long a person should isolate if they test positive for the virus, stating that the five day isolation period is no longer needed. No new COVID program is expected to take its place, but Daigle said the CDC is hoping to start a new Vaccines for Adults program that would provide non-influenza vaccines to 24 million uninsured adults, according to the Daily Beast.

“If enacted by Congress, this program would reduce disparities, protect communities from vaccine-preventable diseases, and enhance and maintain the infrastructure needed for responding to future pandemics,” Daigle said.

Although the Biden administration has been loosening its stances on federal COVID-19 guidelines, health officials remain concerned about the virus as fewer people stay up to date with the latest booster. Health experts are also wary of the long-term effects of virus, according to Prism reports, known as long COVID.