Poverty Awareness Month: COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

Week of January 25, 2021

CMS recognizes January as Poverty Awareness Month. Those experiencing poverty are now also facing the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021. There is increasing evidence that certain racial and ethnic minority groups are being disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Inequities in the social determinants of health, such as poverty and health care access, affecting these groups are interrelated and influence a wide range of health and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.

As the COVID-19 vaccines begin rolling out across the country, CMS and other federal programs want to ensure that COVID-19 vaccine information and resources reach those vulnerable populations, as well as learn how to access their health coverage, manage health care costs, and fully utilize their benefits.

What can you do right now to help vulnerable populations access accurate information and resources on the COVID-19 vaccine?  

Share COVID-19 Vaccine information and other helpful resources with the vulnerable populations that you serve:

• You can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost. People without health insurance or whose insurance does not provide coverage of the vaccine can also get the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost.
• State governments are handling the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Look for updates from your state and local officials as more doses of the vaccine become available for additional priority groups.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) places people aged 65 and older and people with medical conditions that increase the risk of COVID-19 in Phase 1c. While state plans may vary, this makes most Medicare beneficiaries and many other vulnerable individuals eligible for the vaccine.
• The CMS Office of Minority Health has compiled Federal resources as well as COVID-19 resources with fact sheets in multiple languages to assist organizations who work with those most vulnerable—such as older adults, those with underlying medical conditions, racial and ethnic minorities, rural communities, and people with disabilities.
• See if you qualify for Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program or check on your health benefits if you already have coverage.

Promote Vaccine safety and encourage vulnerable populations to get the vaccine once it becomes available to them:

• The vaccine will help keep you from getting COVID-19. Learn more about the benefits of the vaccine.
• Visit the CDC Things to Know page for additional information on the COVID-19 vaccine, which is also available in multiple languages.  
• Did you know that COVID-19 vaccines will not give you COVID-19? They will also not cause you to test positive on COVID-19 viral tests. Learn more facts about COVID-19 vaccines.
• Once it is your turn to get vaccinated, here’s what to expect after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

You can find additional COVID-19 resources on the CMS COVID-19 Policies & Guidance and the HHS COVID Education Campaign page and below:

CDC.gov

• CDC guidance for 65+
• Tell Me More - Vaccine Safety Video 
• CDC COVID-19 Vaccines Page 
• CDC's tips on How to Protect Yourself and Others
• CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit
• CDC Long-Term Care Facility Toolkit
• CDC/ACIP Recommendations 

HHS.gov

• HHS Combat COVID website 
• COVID-19 Vaccine Education Effort: Content for Healthcare Providers video series 

Medicare.gov

• Medicare & Coronavirus page
• Medicare coverage page on COVID-19 vaccines
• Medicare Coverage page on COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments
• Medicare fraud page

CMS.gov

• COVID-19 Vaccine Policies & Guidance
• COVID-19 Partner Resources Page

Questions?  Please e-mail us:  Partnership@cms.hhs.gov