Introduction to COVID-19 Vaccines
The updated COVID-19 vaccine has arrived at large pharmacies in Chicago and is available to those who meet the federal Food and Drug Administration’s new, restrictive guidelines. Everyone else — including some young children — is likely to get access to the shot in the city but might have to wait a few more weeks.
FDA Guidelines and Availability
Doctors and medical experts say Illinois will likely issue more expansive recommendations that will support vaccinations for more people than the FDA’s limited recommendations. That could mean authorizing pharmacists to administer vaccines off-label, as they do in other states. Doctors already are authorized to give vaccines off-label. The FDA approved the latest version of the vaccine but only for those 65 or older or people with a high-risk medical condition. The FDA did not specify which medical conditions were eligible, but pharmacies offering the vaccine are relying on the past CDC’s definition of high-risk groups, which includes those who have asthma, who smoke or who are physically inactive.
Insurance Coverage and Costs
It’s unclear, though, whether insurers will cover the costs over the long run for people who fall outside the FDA’s guidelines. For now, one of the largest private insurance companies, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, hasn’t changed its coverage policy. If private insurers stop covering the vaccine for certain people, it’s estimated that the vaccine could cost $100 to $200 out of pocket, said Dr. Rebecca Maddrell, a Chicago family physician who is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. If those changes were to occur, insurers would likely not adjust until January.
Guidance from Health Departments
The Illinois Department of Public Health plans to issue its own guidance by the end of the month after reviewing recommendations from medical societies, experts and its own immunization advisory committee as well as guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, according to Dr. Sameer Vohra, the agency’s director. The Chicago Department of Public Health plans to offer the updated COVID vaccine to anyone 6 months or older regardless of insurance or income, a spokesperson said. The department expects to receive the vaccine by late September or early October. The shots will be administered at its immunization clinics and during community vaccination events.
Vaccination Locations
The updated COVID vaccines are available at Walgreens and CVS throughout Illinois. At Walgreens, the vaccine is offered without a prescription to anyone who meets the FDA guidelines. The pharmacy chain asks people to attest to their eligibility. People do need to present documentation of a high-risk underlying condition that would make them eligible. A CVS spokesperson said the pharmacy chain can administer the vaccine to people in Illinois who meet the FDA guidelines and don’t have a prescription. CVS said “patients are asked to attest to their eligibility.”
Pediatricians and Vaccine Availability
Pediatricians await shipments of the updated COVID-19 vaccine. The FDA approved Moderna’s vaccine for children as young as 6 months, which is different from previous years. Children 5 years old and older can receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. But those vaccines are largely unavailable so far as providers wait for guidance on how many doses to order or await shipment, said Dr. Anita Chandra-Puri, a Chicago pediatrician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Vaccine Science and Recommendations
Maddrell said she is stressing to her patients that not much has changed about the vaccines despite confusion surrounding this year’s vaccine. “The science is the same,” Maddrell said. “We know that these vaccines are effective at preventing against kind of severe illness, against hospitalizations, against death, against long covid — that is not changing.” If the advisory panel’s recommendations mirror the FDA recommendations, there are still options for adults outside those criteria. Doctors can prescribe the vaccine off-label.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the updated COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in Chicago, but its availability is limited by the FDA’s restrictive guidelines. While some pharmacies are offering the vaccine to those who meet the guidelines, others, including pediatricians, are waiting for shipments and guidance. The science behind the vaccine remains unchanged, and doctors are stressing its effectiveness in preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. As the situation evolves, it is essential to stay informed and follow the recommendations of health experts.
FAQs
Q: Who is eligible for the updated COVID-19 vaccine?
A: The FDA has approved the vaccine for those 65 or older or people with a high-risk medical condition.
Q: Where can I get the vaccine?
A: The updated COVID vaccines are available at Walgreens and CVS throughout Illinois.
Q: Will insurance cover the vaccine?
A: It’s unclear, though,
