Hannah Recht - Kaiser Health News

The government soon will stop paying for the covid drug that has proved to be the most effective at keeping patients alive and out of the hospital.

The federal “test-to-treat” program was designed to be a one-stop shop for people to get tested and receive treatment. But as cases rise again, many communities have no participating locations, and website bugs make it difficult to book an appointment at the biggest participant.

At least 7 million immunocompromised people could benefit from the monoclonal antibody injections designed to prevent COVID. The government says it has enough doses for a fraction of those in need ― and it doesn’t have the money to buy more.

Just 18% of 5- to 11-year-olds are fully vaccinated, with rates varying significantly across the country, a KHN analysis of federal data shows. Pediatricians say the slow pace and geographic disparities are alarming.

Black Americans' vaccination rates still trail other groups, while Hispanics show improvement. In Florida, 26% of white people have received a COVID-19 shot, compared with 13% of Blacks.