Katelyn Jetelina:
Yes, this is like the billion-dollar question, right? And this is critical, because 90 percent of COVID vaccines are given at pharmacies.
So, right now, two things are happening. One is, in about 16 states, pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens have paused COVID-19 vaccines altogether because their state’s authority depends on very clear guidance, which we haven’t really gotten from CDC. We were supposed to get it in June. It still hasn’t come out yet, so those states are in limbo.
The second thing that’s happening is that, in other states, pharmacies may still offer the vaccine, they may still have them in stock, but for people who only fit the FDA label. Pharmacists generally cannot give vaccines off-label. So if you’re a healthy 40-year-old who wants to get the shot, you will probably be turned away from your pharmacy.
Insurance coverage is also in limbo. It’s not entirely clear whether health insurance is going to cover the cost of your vaccine, and this uncertainty makes it very difficult for families who want to protect themselves.
