The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the ‘HHS Bridge Access Program For COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments Program’(“Program”) to maintain broad access to COVID-19 vaccines for millions of uninsured Americans. The program will create a $1.1 billion public-private partnership to help maintain uninsured individuals’ access to COVID-19 care at their local pharmacies, through existing public health infrastructure, and at their local health centers.
‘HHS Bridge Access Program For COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments’:
The program has two major components:
- First, provide support for the existing public sector vaccine safety net, which is implemented through local health departments (LHDs) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) supported health centers.
- Second, create a novel, funded partnership with pharmacy chains that will enable them to continue offering free COVID-19 vaccinations and treatments to the uninsured through their network or retail locations as has been done during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE).
