Survey Shines Light on Motives

An article in The New York Times published on May 18, 2021, highlights five common reasons why a large segment of the general population has chosen, still, to not receive the COVID-19 vaccination. The article, using a recently conducted survey, categorizes the majority of motives in each of the 50 U.S. states.
The opinion article, “Meet the Four Kinds of People Holding US Back from Full Vaccination” categories people’s hesitation into groups, including:

–Those who are watchful. 8 percent of those surveyed are waiting to see what happens. (At 17 percent, Delaware exceeds the national average.)

–Those who are cost-anxious. 9 percent of those surveyed want to receive the vaccine but cite the out-of-pocket cost to receive one (it’s free) or the cost of time away from work, etc., as reasons to not get one. (Mississippi exceeds that national average at 23 percent.)

–Those who are distrusting. 4 percent of those surveyed cite an injustice health care system. (Georgia doubles this national average at 8 percent.)

–Those who are skeptical. 14 percent of those surveyed dismiss the virus’ threat. (Arkansas exceeds the national average at 30 percent.)

See the graphics for each state here:

Informing the public: Vaccinations are free

The White House has set a goal of seeing 70 percent of the US vaccinated (adults) by Independence Day. As of May 25, the number is calculated to be 60 percent.

Of the five main reasons in the article, the fact that an average of 9 percent of those surveyed across the states believe that it costs them money to get vaccinated indicates a lack of information or misinformation.

The Centers for Disease Control has messaging that pharmacies and other outlets to help let more people know that vaccinations are free of charge-

The federal government is providing the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status.

COVID-19 vaccination providers cannot:

  • Charge you for the vaccine
  • Charge you directly for any administration fees, copays, or coinsurance
  • Deny vaccination to anyone who does not have health insurance coverage, is underinsured, or is out of network
  • Charge an office visit or other fee to the recipient if the only service provided is a COVID-19 vaccination
  • Require additional services in order for a person to receive a COVID-19 vaccine; however, additional healthcare services can be provided at the same time and billed as appropriate

COVID-19 vaccination providers can:

  • Seek appropriate reimbursement from the recipient’s plan or program (e.g., private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid) for a vaccine administration fee
    • However, providers cannot charge the vaccine recipient the balance of the bill