As the United States faces heightened Covid-19 activity, government officials have announced the reintroduction of free testing, vaccines, and treatments to support the public through the respiratory virus season this winter. Dr. Mandy Cohen, the director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant and utilizing available tools like vaccines, testing, and treatments to combat the viruses responsible for most fall and winter hospitalizations and deaths.
Although the free Covid tests will not be immediately available, they are set to return in time for the fall and winter social seasons. Additionally, government-supplied Paxlovid antiviral treatments will be freely provided to uninsured individuals and those on Medicare or Medicaid.
To further support vaccination efforts, the CDC is allocating additional funds to state and local health departments. These funds will ensure free Covid vaccines are available for uninsured and underinsured adults, while children from low-income families can continue to receive vaccinations through the Vaccines for Children program.
Cohen highlighted the vulnerability of all age groups to the virus, noting particularly high numbers of emergency department visits for Covid among children under five over the summer. Looking forward, CDC forecasters anticipate hospitalizations for respiratory diseases this winter to be on par with or lower than last year, though this could change with vaccination rates or the emergence of a more severe virus variant.
Recent FDA approvals have introduced updated Covid-19 vaccines designed to combat currently circulating variants. These are expected to be available in pharmacies soon, alongside updated flu vaccines, and can be administered simultaneously.
Dr. Peter Marks from the FDA underscored the crucial role of vaccinations in preventing severe Covid outcomes, including long Covid. Despite the conclusion of the federal government’s Bridge Access Program, the CDC plans to distribute $62 million to enhance vaccine accessibility for adults needing financial assistance.
RSV vaccines will also be available, recommended for vulnerable groups including young babies and older adults. These vaccines, unlike those for flu and Covid, may not need annual updates as their protection extends beyond a single season.
Starting in late September, the government will reopen its Covidtests.gov website, allowing households to order up to four free at-home Covid tests, marking the seventh round of such distributions. Additional free tests will be accessible at community centers across the country.
The government’s Paxcess program, managed by Pfizer, will continue to provide free Paxlovid to eligible individuals through the end of the year, with plans for Pfizer to take over the program in 2025. Merck also offers a patient assistance program for its Covid-19 antiviral medication, Lagevrio.
