Uninsured and Not Immune — Closing the Vaccine-Coverage Gap for Adults

This Perspective outlines the urgent need for a national adult immunization program in the United States to support uninsured populations. Although the COVID-19 vaccination rollout succeeded in rapid and equitable distribution, future access may be threatened as vaccines shift to the commercial market. The Biden administration's temporary Bridge Access Program for COVID-19 vaccines highlights the limitations of ad hoc solutions. The authors propose a permanent federal Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program, modeled after the successful Vaccines for Children (VFC) initiative. Such a program would cover 14 routine ACIP-recommended vaccines, reduce disparities, and use strengthened public health infrastructure for distribution and data monitoring. Charts reveal significantly lower vaccination rates among uninsured adults across multiple vaccine categories. The piece emphasizes the cost-effectiveness and public health benefits of universal adult vaccine access and argues for congressional funding to sustain the effort

This Perspective outlines the urgent need for a national adult immunization program in the United States to support uninsured populations. Although the COVID-19 vaccination rollout succeeded in rapid and equitable distribution, future access may be threatened as vaccines shift to the commercial market. The Biden administration's temporary Bridge Access Program for COVID-19 vaccines highlights the limitations of ad hoc solutions. The authors propose a permanent federal Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program, modeled after the successful Vaccines for Children (VFC) initiative. Such a program would cover 14 routine ACIP-recommended vaccines, reduce disparities, and use strengthened public health infrastructure for distribution and data monitoring. Charts reveal significantly lower vaccination rates among uninsured adults across multiple vaccine categories. The piece emphasizes the cost-effectiveness and public health benefits of universal adult vaccine access and argues for congressional funding to sustain the effort