MU Health Care to offer COVID-19 vaccines based on AAFP guidance
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
MU Health Care is set to follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from the American Academy of Family Physicians ahead of the cold and flu season.
The recommendation is universal for anyone 6 months and older looking to get a COVID-19 vaccine. This is different from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation last fall, which limited the vaccine to only patients with underlying conditions or those aged 65 and older.
The AAFP adds that patients 65 years and older, who have a risk for severe COVID-19 infection, or have never had a COVID-19 vaccine, are especially urged to receive a dose.
This includes people with heart problems, cancer, diabetes or who know people who are immunocompromised.
"This year, no recommendation is necessary, you know, in terms of a particular health condition, so folks who would like to get vaccinated can certainly come through our event and do so," MU Health Care Physician and co-chair of MU's flu and COVID vaccination committee, Dr. Margaret Day, said.
The ACIP has been sidelined since a federal judge blocked their meetings in March.
MU Health Care adds that Medicaid, Medicare and children's insurance programs will continue to cover the vaccine even without ACIP recommendation. The Affordable Care Act requires insurers to cover vaccines recommended by ACIP.
"Certainly, you can check with your insurer for your particular circumstance and network status. But we're expecting it largely to be covered," Day said.
Without insurance, MU Health Care expects a COVID-19 vaccine to cost around $186.
ABC News reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that uninsured adults could find free COVID-19 vaccines at their state or local health departments.
MU Health Care will be offering flu and COVID-19 vaccine events in Columbia and in surrounding counties through October. No appointment is needed and patients are asked to bring a photo ID and insurance card.
Patients will be receiving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at any MU Health Care vaccine event.
"We're entering into the kind of respiratory illness season again, and so we recommend for your health to get vaccinated with both influenza and COVID vaccines," Day said.
A Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services spokesperson confirmed to ABC 17 News the department is also following AAFP recommendations and will provide COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
