An updated booster was first launched about two weeks ago, and this is the first round that's no longer covered by a public health emergency. The rollout has been a mess with overbookings and shortages, and appointments are hard to get
Worse, there's mass confusion about whether people need to pay for their shots now: no one should be paying, still, but the process has become more complicated
The most accessible providers with Bridge Access Program contracts for most of us are going to be CVS and Walgreens, but unfortunately both companies have done a bad job of informing their pharmacists and technicians
There are widespread accounts of people going to these pharmacies, being told the program doesn't exist, and being turned away or charged $200. I was turned away at Walgreens this week.
Also, you do not need to apply for this program and get any kind of card or code. If you're uninsured, you're supposed to be able to just go and the pharmacies bill it to the right place.
thank you for this!!! i was one of the people had to scramble to reschedule so I wouldn't have to pay out of pocket spreading the word so nobody else has to fight cvs like I did
yeah <3 I understand this is an extremely stressful time of year for pharmacists and technicians so I'm not blaming them for missing a message on the employee portal, but I am blaming corporate (and the CDC) for not messaging better
yeah, when they turned me away i got real mad once I got home and dug into a rabbit hole to find these I submitted a complaint to corporate and haven't heard back
I'm glad <3 I hear working conditions at these pharmacies are really bad with staff cuts and scheduling more vaccines that is humanly possible, and employees at both chains are trying to organize strikes
I dunno how well this will work as an image but there's also a QR code that they gave us to give folks that use GoodRx or SingleCare. I'm sure they get a kick back for it. but I can vouch it works on the flu shot. I think the named coupon companies above also do and there's always flu-drives.
I would if there’s any way you can, at least if you’re in the US. The current major variant(s) in the US is pretty resistant to the old boosters. I know a concerning number of people who have been double boostered (not the new one) and have also had COVID who have then gotten it AGAIN recently
PCN: C19IMUNI
ID : DL # or state ID #
Group: DLID or STID
If no DL or state ID: ID : patient’s first initial from first name + first initial from last name + DOB (YYYYMMDD)
Group: NOID