COVID-19 vaccines coming soon for uninsured, low-income Iowa residents
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Following weeks of waiting, uninsured and low-income Iowans will soon have access to low-cost COVID-19 boosters after the CDC officially approved a set of recommendations from federal vaccine advisers on Monday.
Why it matters: More than half of unvaccinated Americans live in households that make less than $50,000 annually and already deal with barriers like juggling work and child care schedules.
- Without insurance, COVID vaccines can cost up to $200.
- The supply will arrive later than usual for the fall virus season.
State of play: The Polk County Health Department ordered its vaccine supply from the state on Wednesday, says Addie Olson, spokesperson for the department.
- Alex Murphy, spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, says providers who participate in the Vaccines for Children and Vaccines for Adults program can now order them.
- It's unknown when the low-cost vaccines will arrive, but they're expected to come soon, Olson says.
- While many agencies around the metro provide low-income kids with vaccines, the county health department is the only one that participates in the Iowa Vaccines for Adults Program.
By the numbers: Polk County Health administered 1,665 COVID vaccines for low-income/uninsured Iowans in 2023 and 2024.
The big picture: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s advisers say COVID vaccines for people 65 and under should be an individual choice based on someone's risk for severe COVID-19.
- Companies including Hy-Vee, Walgreens and CVS no longer require patients to attest to an FDA-qualifying condition for the vaccine.
The bottom line: People in every state are now able to access the COVID-19 vaccine without a prescription.