COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
The Year in Review
The public health emergency declaration for COVID-19 recently ended on May 11. In the past year, there have been major updates to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. Here are the highlights:
May 5, 2022 – FDA Limits Use of Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine to Certain Individuals
Summary: The FDA limited the authorized use of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine to adults for whom other authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate, and to adults who elect to receive the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine because they would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
July 13, 2022 – FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted
Summary: The FDA issued an EUA for the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, adjuvanted for the prevention of COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in adults.
April 18, 2023 – FDA Authorizes Changes to Simplify Use of Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
Summary: Current bivalent vaccines (original and omicron BA.4/BA.5 strains) have been authorized to be used for all doses administered to individuals 6 months of age and older, including for an additional dose or doses for certain populations. The monovalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use in the United States.
Eligibility
CDC recommends that people ages 6 months and older receive at least 1 bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Everyone aged 6 years and older should get 1 updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to be up to date.
View the COVID-19 vaccination guidance for people who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised.
View the COVID-19 vaccination guidance for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
Insurance Coverage
For those with most types of private insurance, COVID-19 vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will be covered without co-pay when provided by an in-network provider.
For people with Medicare, COVID-19 vaccinations will continue to be covered under Medicare Part B without cost sharing. Medicare Advantage plans will also continue to cover COVID-19 vaccinations in-network without cost sharing.
For people who have Medicaid, COVID-19 vaccinations will continue to be covered without co-pay or cost sharing through September 30, 2024, and will generally cover ACIP-recommended vaccines for most beneficiaries thereafter.
Through the “Bridge” Program, people who are uninsured will continue to be able to access COVID-19 vaccine at no cost.