In America:

Many Americans are still doubtful & it’s expected as medical care is costly, that too for uninsured people goes without saying. If you wonder people do not believe what the government says it’s because nothing in the U.S. healthcare system is free especially if you are one of the 27.5 million people who do not have health insurance. The government promises that the COVID-19 vaccine is free for everyone but asks the people to bring their insurance information to the vaccine appointment so that’s why many in the United States hesitate or refuse to come.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine free?

YES, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) stated that “COVID-19 vaccines are 100% free for every individual living in the United States — even if you do not have insurance.”

Why do they ask my insurance information if the vaccine is free?

The vaccine is free because of the HRSA Uninsured Program. It’s part of legislation that includes the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations ACT (CRRSA). Through this legislation, the HHS provides pays the amount to healthcare professionals to test and treat uninsured individuals.“The vaccine is free for all. However, it can be free as a special arrangement between the insurance, the manufacturers, and the federal government,” said Dr Jordan Tishler, an emergency physician and medical cannabis expert in Massachusetts. “There are various reasons why insurance questions are asked when receiving the COVID vaccine. Some amount of the vaccine cost may be recovered from insurance. This all happens behind the scenes without the patient involved.”

What to do if I still receive a bill?

Contact your healthcare professional saying, “ The government reimburses healthcare professionals who are part of the HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program for vaccines and other COVID-related services, such as testing.” This means that they cannot send you a balance bill so you should not receive it. You can report this matter to the Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS or the website TIPS.HHS.GOV.

In India:

In the deadly coronavirus second wave, India is suffering & at the same recovering from this. And India is in a tight spot right now as there’s a vaccine shortage & the government’s carefree attitude towards that is not comforting at all. Experts say, “India will need to spend an additional Rs 80,000 crore ($11 billion) to provide free vaccines and food to millions of people devastated by the wave.”
The government plans to use an additional Rs 70,000 crore for providing food to the poor, said the people anonymously as the numbers aren’t public. The administration will need an extra Rs 10,000 crore to provide free vaccinations, they said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to provide free vaccines, reversing a policy resulting in states ended up competing for supplies, leading to severe shortages. His administration also has been criticized for its handling of the second wave of the virus, which has killed thousands of people in India. Social media is only worsening conflict with Prime Minister Modi’s administration.
In an address on national television, the Prime Minister of India stated, “All Indians above age 18 can be vaccinated for free starting June 21, to speed up the inoculation drive .”