Dear CA Bridge Access Program Providers,
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced that the Bridge Access Program (BAP), which provides free COVID-19 vaccines to adults with limited or no insurance, will now end in August 2024, just before the arrival of the 2024 – 2025 COVID-19 vaccine. Funding that was previously expected to be available to purchase additional vaccine for the California Bridge Access Program was rescinded by Congress and no additional federal funding for COVID-19 vaccine for adults has been identified at this time. Providers ordering and administering Bridge Access COVID-19 vaccines should continue to do so without changes. All standard procedures per the provider agreement are still in effect, including participating in quality assurance visits.
More information about BAP close-out activities will come over the summer. Currently, the CDPH Immunization Branch is evaluating the 317 budgets, however it is not likely there will be funding to purchase COVID-19 vaccine for VFA providers this federal fiscal year. However, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program’s access to COVID-19 vaccine will not be impacted by changes to the BAP program.
While the Bridge Access Program was always meant to be temporary, it will end earlier than originally intended. Thanks to dedicated partners like you, over 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to uninsured and underinsured adults in the U.S. since the inception of the BAP program in September of 2023.
Timeline of BAP Program Closeout
- Wednesday, June 5, 2024: the FDA Vaccines and Related Biologic Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) will meet to discuss and make recommendations on the selection of strain(s) to be included in the 2024 – 2025 Formula for COVID-19 vaccines.
- Wednesday, June 26 – 28, 2024: CDC ACIP anticipated to review and vote on recommendations for 2024 – 2025 season
- Late Summer – Fall: 2024 – 2025 vaccine anticipated to be available for use.
- BAP Program ends when the 2023 – 2024 vaccine is no longer recommended, and the 2024 – 2025 vaccine is recommended. California will no longer receive free BAP COVID-19 vaccines from CDC for use in uninsured and underinsured adults.
- Beginning sometime in August 2024, retail pharmacies that participate in the program through Walgreens, CVS, or eTrueNorth will no longer provide free COVID-19 vaccines for uninsured and underinsured adults.
It is currently unknown whether COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers will offer patient assistance programs to help uninsured and underinsured adults who may not be able to pay for COVID-19 vaccines. It is anticipated that manufacturers will be releasing details on Patient Assistance Programs closer to the end of BAP.
Providers currently ordering and administering BAP COVID-19 vaccine doses should continue to do so until notified of next steps. We will communicate additional updates as we receive them.
Thank you for your continued partnership in protecting the health of all Californians.
