The commercialization of COVID-19 vaccines raises equity concerns

Since 2021, COVID-19 vaccines have been available to the US public free of charge through the US government’s COVID-19 vaccination program. Government procurement and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine started to phase out as of August 3, 2023, ending in mid- to late September 2023. The end date is anticipated to coincide with the Food and Drug Administration’s authorization of a new monovalent vaccine with XBB.1.5 composition and the transition of COVID-19 vaccine distribution to commercial-market mechanisms. (author introduction)