By IDSE News Staff
AHIP, the national trade association representing the insurance industry, said health plans would commit to “maintaining and ensuring affordable access to vaccines,” in a statement that was released ahead of the meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
“Health plan coverage decisions for immunizations are grounded in each plan’s ongoing, rigorous review of scientific and clinical evidence, and continual evaluation of multiple sources of data,” the statement said.
AHIP said its member health insurers would cover “all ACIP-recommended immunizations that were recommended as of Sept. 1, 2025, including updated formulations of the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, with no cost-sharing for patients through the end of 2026.”
AHIP’s members provide health coverage to more than 200 million Americans, the association said, and these plans will provide an evidence-based approach to covering immunizations, while operating in an environment shaped by federal and state laws.
At a press briefing, sponsored by Big Cities Health Coalition, David Margolis, MD, the director of public health, in Cleveland, said, “We are really grateful that America’s Health Insurance Plans [will continue to cover vaccines],” Dr. Margolis said. “That’s a really big deal because the vaccine insurance coverage would have been a huge barrier for Cleveland residents if they have to worry about which are recommended, and whether or not it’ll be covered by their insurance.”
He noted that last season fewer Clevelanders received an influenza vaccine, and as a result, there was a jump in the number of adults and children who were hospitalized from flu, as well as an increase in the number of flu deaths.
Cugahogo County, Ohio, reported 22 influenza-related deaths—nearly double the number from the year before. Ohio, reported three deaths among children, but none were in central Ohio.
