OHIO — The latest COVID-19 vaccine has been rolled out, but the Cleveland Department of Public Health said they’ve heard some people are not able to get their shot covered by insurance. Marlene Martin, with Summit County Public Health, explained why.

What You Need To Know

  • New COVID-19 vaccines rolled out 

  • Some insurances are not covering the new vaccine

  • Call insurance ahead of scheduling vaccine to see where you could go to get it covered 

  • Some health departments across the state helping those who are uninsured to get it paid for

“When the public health emergency authorization ended, then the free vaccine, the ability to offer the COVID vaccine for free ended as well,” she said.

Martin is concerned that fewer people want to get the vaccine, the more complicated it becomes to get it.

“I think anytime there is any kind of hardship getting the vaccine, it’s going to be a barrier to people,” she said.

Martin said that the best thing to do before scheduling your vaccine appointment is to call your insurance provider to see where you can go to get it covered.

“They have a choice in different pharmacies, clinics, you know, their provider may even have the vaccine. So they have choices in where they can get the vaccine, so if they know one place may be covered, may not be covered, that allows them to make the choice,” she said.

Health departments across the state have also offered ways for uninsured people to get the vaccine at no cost.

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