The Click Times: Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine may hit up to $130 per dose. This news has triggered another debate over whether immunizations are too expensive and should be covered by the government or implemented as free global programs.
Pfizer is looking to save millions of dollars in manufacturing costs by developing its new cancer vaccine COVID-19. The vaccine is inexpensive to produce, but it could be costly for patients if they have to pay $130 per dose out of pocket or through insurance companies.
Pfizer’s experimental vaccine for the coronavirus is expected to cost between $25 and $130 per dose, according to the company. But it’s unclear how much coverage will be available for patients who need it.
Pfizer said Wednesday that it expects the vaccine to be available in 2020, with prices ranging from $25 to $130 per dose. The company said it would provide more information about pricing and availability later this year.
The company said it has been working with governments around the world to get approval for the vaccine, which uses a molecule called vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) that has been engineered into a live attenuated poliovirus (LPAV) virus.
Pfizer’s vaccine for the coronavirus is already on track to become the most expensive in history. Now it’s saying the price could go even higher.
Pfizer said Friday that it expects the price to drop as demand rises and manufacturing ramps up. But there are other factors that could also add costs to the drug.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has projected that vaccinating people against COVID-19 could save $80 billion in health care costs over five years — if all 26 million Americans eligible for immunization get vaccinated within 60 days of getting shots at their local pharmacy.
Pfizer has announced that it plans to make the seasonal influenza vaccine available for purchase beginning on Dec. 19. It will be available in both nasal spray and needle-free nasal spray for PPSV23, a new version of the live attenuated virus vaccine strain that was previously used in 2018.
The company said in a news release that its vaccines will cost between $125 and $130 per dose, depending on insurance coverage or other programs. It also said it will offer free shipping on all its products except those sold through pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).
Pfizer is not offering discounts on its seasonal flu shots because they’re already cheaper than last year’s product, which was administered via needle-free nasal spray. The company said it’s offering free shipping to help offset the higher costs of shipping vaccines this way compared with traditional needles. Last year’s needle-free nasal spray option cost an estimated $120 per dose; Pfizer had initially priced the needle-free version at $100 per dose but later lowered it to $90 per dose.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved two vaccines against COVID-19 — one made by Merck and another made by GlaxoSmithKline. Pfizer said it was testing both vaccines in late-stage clinical trials before deciding which one would go into production first.
Pfizer’s vaccine has been shown to provide longer protection than Merck’s product, though both are expected to provide similar levels of protection against infection with any pathogen that can cause COVID-19 disease, according to a statement released by Pfizer.
Pfizer is testing its vaccine in several countries including Australia.
–
#pfizer news today #pfizer vaccine news today #pfizer vaccine news now #pfizer vaccine news update #pfizer covid vaccine price
