Nov. 9, 2023, The COVID-19 pandemic may have ended, but the “tripledemic” of flu, COVID, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) that was pervasive last fall and winter is expected to return and be just as severe this year. Last flu season, there were 26 million illnesses, 290,000 hospitalizations, and 19,000 deaths reported across the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hospitalizations from those diseases are expected to remain high again this year.

“We know vaccinations will play a key role in determining how difficult this season will be,” said Dr. Elsie Smalls, operations manager. “People are getting back to their normal routines but all of us need to remember that even an average respiratory season can be deadly for vulnerable populations, especially the elderly in our low-income communities, and those with chronic conditions.” 

Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia are administrators of a five-year, $5.1 million Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant awarded by the CDC in September 2023. They want adults in Chatham County to know that free COVID-19 vaccines are now available to the uninsured and underinsured through the CDC’s Bridge Access Program. 

Local providers offering the no-cost vaccines include the Coastal Health District’s Eisenhower Clinic, J. C. Lewis Primary Health Care and several CVS and Walgreens branches.

“Contrary to what you may have heard, any adult who wants the COVID-19 vaccine can get one at no cost even if they do not have health insurance or if their insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs," said Smalls. 

Launched by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and administered by the CDC, the “Bridge Access Program For COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments Program” provides continued free coverage for the estimated 25-30 million adults who would have otherwise lost access to affordable COVID-19 vaccines now that the distribution of vaccines has transitioned to the commercial market. The $1+ billion program has established public-private partnerships to help maintain uninsured individuals’ access to COVID-19 care at their local pharmacies, through existing public health infrastructure, and at their local health centers. 

Although the Bridge Access Program is temporary and scheduled to end in December 2024, a longer-term solution, the Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program, has been proposed in both the FY 2023 and 2024 Presidential Budgets, which would cover all recommended vaccinations at no cost for uninsured adults. This proposal has not yet been enacted into law. 

The CDC is further recommending vaccinations for influenza and RSV this season, especially for the elderly and other vulnerable populations. RSV is highly contagious and considered a dangerous virus, especially for those over 60 years old and babies under 6 months. While most vaccines are free to those with health care insurance plans, and the CDC’s Bridge Access Program offers free COVID-19 vaccines, there still may be options for no-cost or low-cost flu and RSV vaccinations for those who don’t have insurance. 

“Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacy about low or no-cost COVID, flu,and RSV vaccines,” said Nichele Hoskins, communication manager. “For a list of local civic and faith-based COVID vaccine clinics through CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort), visit https://www.coreresponse.org/georgia/covid-19/. You can also check with your local health clinic, employer, or school. Some civic and faith-based organizations may offer free vaccines at health fairs and community events, too. Visit cdc.gov/vaccines/bridge for more information.”

The local REACH grant team will share additional information about the CDC’s Bridge Access Program at an online listening and information session scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9 and during an upcoming training session for Community Health Advocates (CHAs) at 6 p.m. on Nov. 30. Both events are free and funded under the REACH grant to help improve health, prevent chronic diseases and reduce health disparities among Black and Hispanic populations in Savannah and Chatham County’s low-wealth neighborhoods. To learn more or register for either event, please email [email protected].

The grant administrators are working in four strategic areas over the next five years including adult immunization, breastfeeding, nutrition, and physical activity. The adult immunization portion of the REACH grant is intended to increase access and acceptance of adult vaccines to reduce vulnerability, especially for people with chronic health conditions 

“We are hoping to get the word out as a gentle reminder now, in the weeks leading up to National Influenza Vaccination Week in December, for everyone to get vaccinated before the holidays,” said Hoskins. “Make sure you’re protected in advance of any travel plans, family or faith gatherings, and the upcoming winter months. And don’t forget, you can again receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to your home."

The Bridge Access program is available through December 31, 2024. Visit https://www.vaccines.gov/ to find a provider in your zip code that offers COVID-19 vaccines at no cost through the initiative.

 To receive four free COVID-19 rapid tests, visit https://www.covid.gov/tests. Please note the FDA has extended some expiration dates. To see the full list of extended expiration dates, visit https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list. The U.S. government will also continue to make COVID-⁠19 tests available to uninsured individuals and underserved communities through existing outreach programs at HRSA health centers (https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/). Savannah’s HRSA health centers include the Pennsylvania Avenue Resource Center (PARC), J.C. Lewis Primary Health Care Center, Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care, Inc., CVC Mobile Health, Old Savannah City Mission Homeless Shelter & Service Agency and the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter & Services Agency.