Uninsured Arizonans can still get free COVID-19 vaccines; here’s how

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — While millions of Americans will have to pay for COVID-19 vaccines if they aren’t insured, Arizonans will remain covered thanks to a state program.

Roughly 25 million Americans without health insurance will have to pay up to $200 for the shots because the CDC Bridge Access program, a federal program that covered the cost of the vaccines for uninsured and underinsured people, is running out of funding.

Earlier this year, federal lawmakers pulled back $6.1 billion in COVID-related funding as part of a deal to avoid a government shutdown.

As a result, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is relaunching its mobile COVID-19 vaccination program to ensure adequate and affordable access to potentially life-saving health care.

The program will partner with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide access to immunizations for uninsured and underinsured Arizonans when the federal programs ends this August.

It means Arizonans can have access to vaccines at no cost by bringing a vaccine clinic to communities that request it.

“ADHS remains diligent in responding to Arizonans’ health needs by coming to community members and meeting them where they are. This program partnership is a testament to how the Federal and State government and the private sector work together to prioritize access to public health care,” said Jessica Barbosa, Health Equity Program Manager at ADHS.

You can schedule a mobile clinic or at-home vaccine appointment by emailing healthequity@azdhs.gov or filling out an online form.

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.