Date: April 6, 2022

Eligible Individuals Can Receive Second COVID-19 Booster Shot at No Cost

Today, April 6, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will pay for a second COVID-19 booster shot of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines without cost sharing as it continues to provide coverage for this critical protection from the virus. People with Medicare pay nothing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and there is no applicable copayment, coinsurance or deductible. People with Medicaid coverage can also get COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, at no cost.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. Certain immunocompromised individuals and people ages 50 years and older who received an initial booster dose at least four months ago are eligible for another booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. Additionally, the CDC recommends that adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least four months ago can receive a second booster dose of a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccine, including the booster doses, is the best defense against severe illness, hospitalization and death from the virus. CMS continues to explore ways to ensure maximum access to COVID-19 vaccinations. More information regarding the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program Provider Requirements and how the COVID-19 vaccine is provided through that program at no cost to recipients is available at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/vaccination-provider-support.html and through the CMS COVID-19 Provider Toolkit.

People can visit vaccines.gov (English) or vacunas.gov (Spanish) to search for vaccines nearby.

Date: March 30, 2022

Governor Parson Announces End to COVID-19 Crisis in Missouri

On March 30, 2022, during a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Mike Parson announced an end to the COVID-19 crisis in Missouri and that the state will be shifting to an endemic phase of the pandemic on Friday, April 1, 2022. 

A whole-of-government COVID-19 emergency response was taken for more than two years, an effort that responded to the needs of all Missourians during the global pandemic and sustained state operations as more was learned about the novel virus. Vaccines, testing resources, and treatments are now readily available for all Missourians, and much of the population now has some immunity to the virus.

“Over the past two years, we have learned a lot that will help us respond to future outbreaks and challenges that may come our way,” Governor Parson said. “We don’t know if this virus will ever completely go away, but we do know that there is no longer a need to live in crisis mode and that we can shift our response to meet the current needs of Missourians. The COVID-19 crisis is over in the state of Missouri, and we are moving on.”

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, is expected to continue to circulate in communities, meaning it will be considered endemic like many other diseases. The endemicity also means that surveillance priority will change from monitoring case numbers to monitoring disease severity and societal impact as new waves of infection come and go. This transition does not minimize the continued importance of public health surveillance, investigation, and response activities, as is necessary to mitigate any disease.

“As we enter this phase of our state’s recovery, we continue to encourage Missourians to safeguard their own health and the health of loved ones through tried and true public health measures,” said Department of Health and Senior Services Acting Director Paula Nickelson. “Missourians should feel confident that we will remain vigilant when monitoring COVID-19 levels throughout the state.”

Over the past two years, the state was able to achieve some incredible milestones in responding to COVID-19:

Testing Capacity

• More than 14 million tests performed by public health partners

Treatment Options

• More than 81,000 treatment courses distributed by the State of Missouri

Vaccine Availability

• More than 8.7 million doses administered by public health partners

In addition to vaccines, testing, and treatment options, which are some of the most effective tools to fight COVID-19, Missouri has expanded capabilities over the past two years in areas of personal protective equipment (PPE), hospital capacity, and data collection. These capabilities allow Missouri to adapt to changing needs regarding COVID-19 in the future. 

Missouri’s approach moving forward will allow state and local health officials to closely monitor community level of COVID-19, determine which variants of SARS-CoV-2 are circulating through the genomic surveillance, and assess disease severity and impact of COVID-19-associated illnesses.

Beginning Friday, the Department of Health and Senior Services will provide weekly dashboard updates that will include 7-day case rate data, activity by region and county, statewide data on COVID-19 hospitalizations, and circulating virus variants. This is a flexible approach allowing accommodation for future surges, should they occur, and require more frequent updates and additional datasets.

More information about vaccines, testing resources, and treatment options along with the updated COVID-19 dashboard and details about this phase of the pandemic can be found by visiting health.mo.gov/coronavirus.  

A booklet with more information regarding the transition to endemic phase can be found by clicking here. 

Date: March 24, 2022

Providers that were kicked out of the 340B Drug Pricing Program during the pandemic will be able to apply for reinstatement, the Biden administration has announced. Disproportionate share hospitals, sole community hospitals, rural referral centers, children’s hospitals, and free-standing cancer hospitals that were terminated from the program after January 26, 2020, due to a change in patient mix can apply to be reinstated. Providers must prove that the share of Medicare or Medicaid patients treated decreased as a result of the public health emergency or the pandemic. The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) focus on paving a path for the future of 340B and much more with more than 80 sessions at NRHA’s 45th Annual Rural Health Conference hybrid events May 10-13 in Albuquerque, New Mexico and virtually.

Date: March 17, 2022

After a sharp increase in testing demand during the Omicron surge in December and January, Missouri has been experiencing a dramatic decline in testing the past several weeks. Due to this low demand and increased availability and accessibility of testing resources, the State’s at-home PCR testing kit program is ending March 31.

Missouri residents who do not already have one of these at-home PCR test kits on hand can still order one for free through March 31 by using the online ordering system. Upon ordering, kits are typically received in the mail in two days. Individuals then have 6 months to use the kit before it expires. A result is received within 72 hours of mailing the specimen back to the laboratory in a free FedEx shipping envelope provided in the kit.

Those who currently have a Picture by Fulgent Genetics test kit on hand are encouraged to use the kit now or prior to the 6-month expiration mark, especially if symptoms are experienced or exposure to high-risk individuals is planned. 

Testing remains a key tool to keeping Missourians safe. Testing is not only for those who are symptomatic, but important for periodic surveillance especially when interacting with vulnerable populations and crowds. 

Although Missouri began offering these free kits to Missourians nearly 10 months ago, most of the program’s activity occurred in January during the latest surge of COVID-19 transmission. Later in the month, the federal government also began accepting orders for home tests. These tests can continue to be ordered at CovidTests.gov. Additionally, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services continues to provide drive-through community testing sites in areas of the state as needed. These opportunities, as well as other testing resource providers, can be found at health.mo.gov/communitytest. 

A COVID-19 test is a one-time assessment, and will only show if the individual is infected at the time of the test. For those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, testing is highly recommended. Those who have had significant contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19 should also consider being tested.

How Missourians can get a free COVID-19 vaccine:

• Check for vaccine appointments at gov, where you can search for availability by vaccine type.
• Call the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine hotline at 1-800-232-0233 (or TTY 1-888-720-7489). Help is available in multiple languages. 
• Locate local vaccination events in Missouri at com.
• Seniors can make arrangements using information at com/seniors
  • Missouri DHSS COVID-19 Public Hotline
    • 1-877-435-8411
    • Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. 

How Missourians can get a free COVID-19 test:

• Utilize one of the state’s free community testing sites: COVID-19 Community Testing Sites.
• Order a PCR test through the state’s free at-home COVID-19 testing program until March 31, or order free at-home antigen tests through the federal program.
• Find a free testing option near you through the federal pharmacy locations.