Feds Launch ‘One-Stop’ Website for All COVID Resources
On Wednesday, March 30, 2022 — President Joe Biden unveiled a federal website. That promises “one-stop shopping” for free masks and tests, vaccines, and treatments for COVID-19.
Web site, covid. goals include a list of pharmacies that will be part of the new test-treatment program.
“You’ll also be able to find our new testing and treatment locations,” Biden said at a news briefing.
Shortly after his speech, he received a second booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. FDA and CDC allowed the fourth dose of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines on Tuesday for Americans over 50 and people over 18 who meet certain conditions.
Covid.gov “is a good step forward to bring everything under one internet roof,” she says. A general store will “facilitate access.”
As states, counties, and cities shut down their own publicly funded programs, Cates said that the ability to find sites for COVID-related services quickly could become more critical.
Some states and localities are shutting down sites due to lower demand and lower cases. There are also fears among states that they won’t be able to continue if federal money for reimbursement for tests, vaccines, and treatments runs out.
White House warned that stocks could run out unless he receives at least $22.5 billion in emergency funds to fight the pandemic. Congress has not yet decided whether to approve this request.
Meanwhile, the White House has cut the supply of monoclonal antibodies to the states by a third, and Biden said stocks would run out by the end of May.
The President also noted that the government wouldn’t have enough vaccines this fall to give every American a second booster. However, he said there are enough for people over 50 and those with weakened immune systems.
“Congress, we need to secure additional supplies now,” Biden said. “We can’t wait to be in the middle of a new surge of activity. It will be too late.”
Tests for treatment
The President announced the test-treatment initiative in his talk about the situation in the country on March 2. The idea is that people who test positive for COVID-19 at a pharmacy or clinic will be eligible to receive one of two FDA-cleared antiviral pills, Pfizer’s Paxlovid, immediately and free of charge. Within five days of symptom onset, it must take both to prevent serious illness. Or from Merck.
She says COVID-related issues with the supply of tests, vaccines, and especially treatments like Paxlovid will create problems. And the ability of pharmacists to treat patients may be limited by some states’ by-laws governing medical practice.
Indeed, groups of physicians have objected to pharmacists being able to dispense medication directly to the patient because of the potential for side effects. Pharmacists are also unlikely to know someone’s complete medical history, say groups like the American Medical Association.
And pharmacies have concerns that only stores with on-site clinics can run the program, limiting the type and number of pharmacies that can participate.
Most pharmacies that offer treatment drugs listed on covid.gov are large chains such as CVS and Walgreens or supermarket-linked pharmacies, although some areas also have a few independent stores.
