- The CDC data on COVID-19 case and death rates among people of different ages and vaccination statuses now includes information through December 2022, and data continues to demonstrate that vaccination against COVID-19 protects against illness and death. The bivalent booster continues to be especially effective, as people with the updated booster are 12.7 times less likely to die from COVID-19 compared to those who are unvaccinated. Furthermore, people with the updated booster are 2.4 times less likely to die from COVID-19 compared to those who were vaccinated but have not gotten the updated booster.
- You’ve probably heard that the Biden administration has announced that it will end the Public Health Emergency related to COVID-19 in May of this year, and here’s a quick summary of what that means:
- Vaccination: Anyone in the U.S. will have access to free COVID-19 vaccination until the U.S. government stockpile is depleted. People who are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance in the U.S. will continue to be able to access COVID-19 vaccination at no cost.
- Treatments: The U.S. government purchased a large stockpile of Paxlovid, and Paxlovid from that supply should continue to be available at no cost. After that supply is exhausted, many COVID-19 treatments will no longer be free for those with Medicare and private insurance – they will likely have to cover part of the cost (a “co-pay”). Medicaid recipients will be able to continue to access Paxlovid treatment at no-cost through 2024.
- Testing: People with Medicare and private insurance will no longer be able to access eight free at-home tests per month. Medicaid recipients will be able to continue to access treatment at no-cost through 2024.
- The situation for uninsured individuals is much less certain, as they will be largely reliant on public health programs or will have to pay out of pocket for vaccines, tests, and treatment.
- Our PPP partner Migrant Clinicians Network has a more in-depth analysis, and we’ll continue to keep you updated as the end of the Public Health Emergency approaches and potential impacts become clearer.
- We’ve got more resources to inform immigrant and migrant workers of the new opportunity for deferred action for those who experience labor rights violations. Check out CDM’s latest video in Spanish and these videos in English and Spanish from our PPP partner, Sur Legal, that explain the required letters of support from a labor agency.
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