Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross) today confirmed it will cover, with no cost share to members, the administration of Pfizer/BioNTech's Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5 to 11, pending authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and in accordance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance.
Comirnaty, which is currently the only one of the three available COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. to request emergency use authorization for use in young children, was fully approved by the FDA in August.
Blue Cross previously announced no-cost coverage for vaccines administered in other age groups and for approved third-dose booster shots.
The federal government has purchased the vaccines, which are being distributed free of charge, but clinicians and pharmacies can bill insurers for administration costs. Medicare covers vaccine administration for Medicare Advantage and Medex members when administered by any clinician who accepts Medicare.
