Rose Bialk/The Mossy Log
On Sept. 22, the Student Health Center announced their upcoming vaccine clinics for students. However, unlike previous years, the clinics will not be offering COVID-19 vaccines due to “variable insurance coverage.” In a statement to The Mossy Log, the Health Center addressed questions regarding this shift in procedure.
When asked for an explanation of their decision, the Health Center elaborated on their concerns about insurance coverage.
“Our pharmacy partner is not able to check individual insurance coverage on site, and we cannot perform this service internally,” they said in an email to The Mossy Log on Sept. 26. “The concern is that students and others would assume the vaccine was covered by their insurance, and then (inadvertently) end up having to pay the full cost themselves.”
The vaccine price via the school’s pharmacy partner ranges from $225-$250. Last year, some students learned after receiving the vaccine that their insurance would not provide coverage, leaving them with an unexpected bill.
The Health Center indicated that there were challenges especially for students with Kaiser insurance. While Kaiser insures flu vaccines provided outside its own facilities, it does not do the same for the COVID-19 vaccine. Furthermore, a shifting national environment regarding the COVID-19 vaccine has impacted the Health Center’s decision. The Health Center elaborated on some of the challenges.
“As we were making arrangements for this vaccine clinic, there was significant national uncertainty about whether a prescription would be required for COVID vaccines this year, if only specific populations would be able to receive the vaccine, or if the COVID vaccine would be universally covered by insurance.”
On Aug. 4, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration revised its vaccine authorization, limiting updated shots to those aged 65 and older and individuals with specific health conditions. This led to uncertainty across states on whether the vaccine could legally be administered without restrictions.Under Oregon law, vaccines can only be administered if they are authorized by the Board of Pharmacy, which follows Center for Disease Control guidelines. After the FDA revised its authorization, state authorities were left waiting for the CDC to assemble their vaccine panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), on Sept. 18-19 and vote on updated guidelines.
In Oregon, when a vaccine is not covered by protocol, pharmacists can still administer a vaccine — but only with a prescription. In early September, Oregonians from across the state reported difficulty accessing the vaccine without a prescription. Others reported issues with insurance coverage, as insurers are not required to cover a vaccine unless it’s recommended by the CDC. On Sept. 19, the CDC vaccine panel ultimately struck down the prescription requirementand voted to retain insurance coverage.
Such uncertainty led California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington to launch the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) on Sept. 4.According to a statement from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, this group is meant to, “uphold scientific integrity in public health as Trump destroys CDC’s credibility.” More specifically, the alliance seeks to make its own recommendations on vaccines given what the member states view as increasingly unscientific policy regarding vaccines at the federal level. On Sept. 17, the WCHA issued their own guidelines for the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Student Health Center, conscious of national fluctuations, has found that its own guidelines fall more in line with the state level.
“In light of recent national changes and uncertainty with vaccine guidance from entities like the CDC and ACIP, the Student Health Center is relying more heavily on local and regional recommendations. We look to the Oregon Health Authority, the newly established West Coast Health Alliance, and experts in the fields of medicine and public health like the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics,” the center wrote.
Despite the policy change, the Health Center emphasized that it continues to “strongly recommend and encourage” the COVID-19 vaccination. Students are being directed to local pharmacies and clinics, which can verify insurance coverage before administering the vaccine, hopefully sparing students the burden of unforeseen costs.
As for the student response, the Health Center indicated that they have received no complaints, though they stated they are open to reconsidering the decision if there is enough demand.
“If we hear from students that they want us to include COVID vaccine (knowing that they may end up paying the full fee out of pocket), we are happy to consider adding the COVID vaccine for our second clinic on Oct. 20,” the center stated.
However, some Lewis & Clark students reported being bothered by the change.
“I think it’s slightly ridiculous … me and my friends would much rather just go to Safeway if we can’t get both vaccines in the same place,” Rose Rogin ’28 said.
Others feel the decision shifts too much burden onto students to find other access.
“They didn’t require as much preparation last year, I felt like I could walk in without putting much thought into it,” Imogen Hutchman ’28 said. “They’re making it more difficult for students.”
How this will impact future clinics remains to be seen. For those interested in the clinics this month, it will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 3 and 20, with advance sign-ups recommended and walk-ins available on a limited basis. Students must bring a printed copy of their insurance card and a completed consent form. For more information on vaccine access, students can visit the Student Health Center’s COVID-19 web page or email health@lclark.edu.
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