At the end of the year, Paxlovid, a drug used to treat COVID-19, will begin its transition to the commercial market. Made by Pfizer, it has been free of charge for Americans through the government, but the company recently announced that its pre-insurance cost for a five-day course will reach almost $1,400.

When Stephanie Hameed was diagnosed with COVID-19 recently, her doctor put her on Paxlovid, a medication used to treat the virus in people who are most at risk. Being a grandmother inspires Hameed every morning.

“When I got COVID, I wasn't able to see them, and that really did something to me," she said.

Hameed felt like the advantages of the medication outweighed the disadvantages.

"So I stopped, like I said, three different medications to take it, and I felt like it really paid off in the long run because I was able to stay home. I didn't end up at the ER urgent care, and my symptoms were nowhere near as bad as they were before," Hameed said.

As of Wednesday, there were 867,788 doses of the updated COVID vaccine administered statewide, outside of New York City. Regional and demographic breakdowns were not publicly available but may be released shortly.

At the end of this year, Paxlovid will start its transition to the commercial market, meaning it will no longer be free for everyone through the government like it has been.

Pfizer said in a statement that the pre-insurance cost of a five-day course of Paxlovid will be $1,390.

“For some people, it's a full month worth of rent, or two car payments. It’s a big deal," says Ziyad Al-Aly, chief of research and development at the VA of the St. Louis Healthcare System.

Al-Aly says only around 30% of patients who qualify for Paxlovid are being prescribed it, and that number is trending down. If patients have to start paying for it, he fears that will result in even less utilization.

Hameed said this is lifesaving medication, one that she desperately needed to heal and get back to playing with her grandkids.

“I’m on a fixed income. You know, I've been disabled for almost 20 years now. If it wasn't free, I probably would not have been able to get it. If they were to charge for, a lot of people would be putting their life at risk," Hameed said.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says people with Medicare, Medicaid or without insurance will be able to get Paxlovid for free, through, next year thanks to a patient assistance program.

Pfizer said that program will extend through 2028 for patients who are uninsured or “underinsured."