Former CDC director reveals pressure to fire scientists at CDC
Former CDC director Susan Monares told lawmakers he was told to sign off to vaccine recommendations regardless of scientific evidence.
Despite changing federal guidance, health insurance companies have vowed to cover Covid-19, the flu and other recommended vaccines, trade groups said.
According to the US Health Insurance Plan, members said as of September 1, 2025, they will fully cover Covid, flu and other vaccines recommended by the Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine Panel. The vaccine is covered by the idea that it will not cost patients until the end of 2026.
James Gelfund, president and CEO of the ERISA Industry Committee, said most large employers who provide health insurance benefits to workers and their families will continue to cover the Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccines.
The timing of insurance companies’ pledges is important as vaccine recommendations could change quickly.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired and appointed new members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a key vaccine panel that makes recommendations for Covid-19 and other vaccines.
The newly appointed vaccine panel will be held on Thursday, September 18th and Friday, September 19th to discuss recommendations on measles, mumps and rubella. Hepatitis B and the Covid-19 vaccine, according to the preliminary agenda.
Why are doctors and patients worried about getting the vaccine?
The federal shift on vaccines is concerned about physician groups, elected officials and patients who reported difficulty in getting new Covid-19 shots.
In August, the FDA approved a new version of the fall Covid-19 shot, which will increase access to vaccination in some populations. The Covid-19 vaccine is recommended only for people over the age of 65 and those with existing health problems.
However, Kennedy’s reconstituted vaccine panel has neglected access in several states where pharmacists are unable to administer the vaccine without recommendations for the vaccine panel, but has yet to make formal recommendations for the new Covid-19 shot.
What is the state doing to get covid shots for kids, adults?
California, Colorado, Oregon, Nevada and Washington took action on their own to ensure residents were able to win the Covid-19 shot.
Sen. John Hickenlooper of D-Colorado said the vaccine policy changes have created “a lot of friction, disruption.”
He said the federal vaccine program for children, which manages shots to uninsured, low-income children, is “suspended,” and pharmacies in some states are not sure if they can administer the vaccine.
Hickenlooper spoke at a Senate hearing Wednesday on the ouster of former CDC director Susan Monares. Hickenlooper also said the insurance plans are uncertain about federal guidance.
“Many insurance plans will postpone federal recommendations to determine vaccine coverage, leaving behind bills that can reach hundreds of dollars just for the vaccine,” Hickenlooper said. “There’s a real problem to navigate.”
Are there any exceptions to insurance vaccine coverage?
Insurance plans don’t need to cover vaccines that are not included in the vaccine panel recommendations, but most seem willing to do so.
Private health insurance plans expect free coverage of the Covid-19 vaccine to all patients, including children, pregnant women and healthy individuals, Ahip said in a statement to USA Today.
However, insurance may differ for some types of insurance plans. Employers who provide health insurance benefits to the majority of working-age Americans may choose to enact restrictions.
If the vaccine panel imposes restrictions on a particular population, employers’ health insurance plans may choose to request joint payments, Gelfand said. Alternatively, the patient may need to prescribe or consult with a physician or other health care provider.
“It’s a responsible, science-driven, non-political approach,” Gelfund said.
A KFF poll issued on August 1 found that 40% of adults said they would “undoubtedly” or “probably” get a shot of the Covid-19 vaccine. Of those planning on getting the vaccine, 62% said they were worried that their insurance wouldn’t cover the costs of the vaccine.
Contribution: Mary Wallas Holldridge
