Written by Kara Morris
HealthDay reporter
MONDAY, Oct 24, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Some Americans can pay up to $130 to get a COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer starting in 2023, but most will still get it for free.
The Associated Press reported that a Pfizer executive indicated that the people who would get its vaccine for free would likely include those with public health insurance programs like Medicare or Medicaid and those with private health insurance.
Vaccines recommended by insurance companies must be covered as part of the Affordable Care Act. Pfizer also has an income-based assistance program for qualified residents of the United States.
The Associated Press said the US government is expected to stop buying and distributing the shots sometime next year.
While Pfizer said last year it was charging $19.50 per dose to the US government, that rose to about $30 per dose in June. The company said it has three pricing tiers globally, depending on the country’s financial situation, the Associated Press reported.
Pfizer CEO Angela Luken reported last week that the newer price reflects both commercial distribution costs and the switch to single-dose vials.
This is well below the expected limits for “what would be considered a highly effective vaccine,” Lukin added.
By comparison, annual flu shots range from $50 to $95, depending on the specific type, according to CVS Health, according to the Associated Press.
The Pfizer vaccine, which begins with two initial doses, is the most widely used vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in the United States.
CDC data shows that Americans have received 375 million doses of the original Pfizer vaccine since late 2020, in addition to 41 million doses of an updated booster dose.
The company’s revenue from snapshots was $36.8 billion last year and is expected to reach $32 billion this year, according to FactSet. The Associated Press said sales are expected to decline after that.
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