Will insurance still cover vaccine costs in NC with CDC changes? What to know
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its childhood vaccination schedule, scaling back which vaccines are recommended for every child and shifting several to guidance based on risk or shared decision-making between families and doctors.
The changes affect vaccines for illnesses like the flu, COVID-19, RSV and hepatitis, though routine shots for diseases such as measles, polio and whooping cough remain the same.
Despite the guidance, doctors in North Carolina say their advice hasn’t changed. They’re still recommending families stick with the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccination schedule, emphasizing that the science behind those vaccines remains solid.
However, the changes have raised questions about whether insurance will continue to cover the cost of vaccines.
Here’s what you need to know.
Will insurance still cover the cost of vaccines?
Yes, Dr. Zach Willis, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at UNC Health, told The Charlotte Observer.
Willis noted that the updated guidance does not prevent any parent, child or individual from receiving vaccines according to the existing schedule.
He also pointed out that federal programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and the Vaccines for Children program will continue to cover the cost of vaccines, even if they are no longer universally recommended.
As a result, most people will still avoid paying out of pocket for vaccines like COVID-19, which can cost more than $200 at some pharmacy chains, The Charlotte Observer reported.
What can parents do to protect their children?
Though the vaccine schedule changes could lead to lower vaccination rates, Willis said those who are vaccinated have little to worry about.
“I don’t think that we’re in a situation where anybody needs to live in fear,” Willis said, noting that people who are immunocompromised may need to be more cautious in public settings. “If a parent is immunocompromised themselves, or has a child who’s immunocompromised, they should talk to their specialist who manages that condition.
