Free COVID-19 Vaccines, Tests and Some Treatments Ending Soon

It's been three years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the White House says the country's national public health emergency will be ending May 11.

Officials say when that happens, many of the policies put in place to combat the spread of the virus will also end.  That includes COVID-19 vaccines.  Until now, the government has been purchasing the vaccine and boosters and providing them to the public at little or no cost.  Congress has opted not to provide more money to increase the government's stockpile of the vaccines.

Drug makers Pfizer and Moderna have already indicated they will raise their prices once the government's supplies end.  In fact, the price to consumers could range from $110 to $130 per dose, though lower rates could be negotiated through insurance companies and government health programs.

Officials say the cost to consumers will depend on their health coverage.  Medicare beneficiaries, those enrolled in Medicaid, and people with Affordable Care Act coverage will continue to get COVID vaccines without cost, even when the public health emergency ends the supply of government-purchased vaccines runs out.