Graphic featuring cut out headshots of a young Latino man and a Black woman, both with disabilities and wearing facemasks, over rectangular shapes in green to blue shades. Text reads, 'Protect your Community, Secure your shot. SC Disability Vaccine Access Network.
 

COVID-19 in the News

You may have heard about the end of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, but do you know what that means for you?

  • The White House has announced that the federal government will end its declared COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on May 11​

  • Ending the declaration will end the federal government's spending towards programs that promoted vaccination and other efforts to keep American's afloat during this time

COVID-19 Vaccine Schedule Reminders

Black mother with burn scars and disabilities poses with her two children, a baby and a toddler.

  • There is a COVID-19 vaccine and bivalent booster available to everyone over 6 months of age​

  • Age and the brand type used for the primary vaccine series will determine an individual's timeline​

    • Immunocompromised people will get additional doses that will impact their timeline​

  • The mRNA bivalent booster replaced the mRNA monovalent booster last fall​

    • Everyone over 6 months old is encouraged to get their primary vaccine and bivalent booster​

Not sure when your next shot is? Use this tool from our website to help:
My Vaccination Plan

What will change

  • COVID-19 Vaccine, Treatments, and Testing will now come at a cost​

    • People without insurance may have to pay out of pocket

      • Non-citizens who were able to secure the vaccine at no cost​ may have to pay out of pocket

  • People with private healthcare plans could see more costs​

    • Care that prevents getting very sick, like vaccines, are likely to be covered by insurance​

    • Private insurance deductibles are likely to be charged for treatment and testing​

      • A doctor will be required to prescribe treatments and testing to receive these benefits​

  • Some cost estimations of the vaccine are over $100​

    • Some news reports that there will be options for low to no cost COVID-19 vaccines

A young, invisibly disabled white woman with a facemask holds a poster that reads, 'Protect your community, secure your shot,' while standing outside.
Young Black man with disabilities smiles while outside, wearing a button that reads, 'I'm vaccinated for my community.'

  • Changes to Medicaid and Medicare​

    • Vaccines will remain at no cost to beneficiaries, but cost-sharing is expected for testing and treatments like anti-viral drugs, like Paxlovid

    • Medicare coverage requirements that were waived during the emergency will return​

    • Medicare prescription drug benefits will no longer allow beneficiaries to get extended supplies of drugs​

  • In December Congress voted that, starting in April, some states will start kicking people off of expanded Medicaid benefits. It's possible that 15 million people will lose health coverage​

What won't change

  • Some people who lose their Medicaid access in April will qualify for plans provided by the Affordable Care Act (but not all)​

  • Medicare beneficiaries and people in high-deductible health plans will have eased access to telehealth through the end of 2024 due to an extension provided by Congress​

  • The FDA will still have the power to authorize vaccines, tests, and drugs on an emergency basis​

  • There are many other programs that will be influenced by this change, including nutrition assistance programs, immigration policies, mental health service funding in public schools, etc.​

Hispanic woman with a mask on smiles. She has curly brown hair and is wearing a button that reads, 'I'm vaccinated for my community.'

Continue to protect yourself

Ebony, a Black woman with braids wearing classes and using a power wheelchair with a tray, points to a banner that reads, 'Why I secured my shot...' and contains positive messages about why people with disabilities got vaccinated.

  • While the federal emergency is ending, this does not mean the pandemic is over​

    • It is still recommended that people with disabilities, people who are immunocompromised, people over 65, pregnant people, and families with children under age 1 should still protect themselves:

    • Get your vaccine and stay up to date by getting your bivalent booster

      • Get your vaccine doses before May 11 to guarantee that they are free!

    • Wearing a high-quality respirator mask such as an N95 or KN95 is still one of the best ways to keep yourself from getting very sick, in addition to getting and maintaining your vaccination​

Black, indigenous, and other people of color with disabilities are at an even greater risk of getting very sick and dying from COVID-19. Learn more and read stories from BIPOC people who've gotten vaccinated to protect themselves at this link: https://www.able-sc.org/bipocvax/

Senior Black woman smiles to the camera. Her hair is pulled back and she's wearing silver jewelry and a purple dress.

Are you still unsure about vaccination? Call the SC Disability Vaccine Access Hotline:
1-800-787-6046. Ask questions and get help making your plan!

Still got questions about vaccines and your disability? Check out the detailed resources at www.scdisabilityvaccine.org

Disability Vaccine Access Leaders gathered in a group outside, holding up campagin banner reading, 'Protect your community, secure your shot.' From left to right, a young Black woman using a power wheelchair, a middle aged Hispanic woman standing and smiling, a senior Black woman with gray hair holding the banner and smiling. a young white woman with red hair holding the banner and standing while talking to her neighbor, a young adult Black man, a young Black toddler standing next to her mother, a Black woman with burn scars holding her infant Black son.
Footer with “SC Disability Vaccine Access Network” and partner logos below. From left to right: Able SC, AccessAbility, Disability Rights South Carolina, Walton Options, UofSC Center for Disability Resources, South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council.”
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