Immunize El Paso still giving free COVID vaccines despite no federal funding, case decline

Immunize El Paso (IZEP) will continue offering free COVID-19 vaccines to El Pasoans despite federal dollars no longer covering shots for the uninsured, the group said Tuesday.

The City of El Paso stated Wednesday it would continue to offer the vaccines free of charge.

The Food and Drug Administration released updated COVID provider guidelines Tuesday recommending a second booster of either the Pfizer or the Moderna COVID vaccine for those 50 years and older and certain immunocompromised people.

IZEP is also now administering the second COVID booster shot as well, the group announced Wednesday.

“Immunize El Paso has an ample supply of COVID-19 vaccines for the second booster shot," Acosta said in Wednesday's announcement. "Our staff is ready and prepared to administer the second dose. We welcome our community to reach out to us and schedule an appointment or come in as a walk-in to our clinics.

Federal funding for COVID vaccinations through the HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program (UIP) will cease next week.

The program, paid for via the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health, will no longer accept claims for vaccinations due to a "lack of sufficient funds" per an HRSA news release March 16.

Claims for administering COVID vaccines will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on April 5.

COVID cases in El Paso have been declining in recent weeks after spiking during the holidays and into January before declining more rapidly this month. El Paso County's COVID community scorecard rating is now at the yellow level — stage four — which means less than 5% of COVID tests are positive and there are less than 15 positive cases per 100,000 people per day.

Of El Paso area residents 5 years and older, 68.5% are fully vaccinated and 85.6% are partially vaccinated against the virus to date.

The Omicron subvariant BA.2 was also detected in on COVID case in El Paso in February. Though the subvariant is reported to be up to 60% more transmissible, it does not appear to be more severe.

Despite declining local cases and the abrupt termination of federal support, IZEP has pledged to "continue serving those in need, free of charge," per a news release Tuesday.

“While El Paso is trending toward lower COVID-19 cases, we will not turn away patients seeking vaccinations because they do not have health insurance," IZEP Director Danny Acosta said in the release.

“Immunize El Paso will continue to serve our community to ensure we defeat COVID-19.”

After April 5, patient encounters will be the same and IZEP staff will still gather health insurance information for those who have it. For those without insurance, IZEP will "absorb the costs of the vaccinations" per the release.

Adults and children 5 years and older are eligible for COVID vaccines and people with certain health conditions are encouraged to receive booster doses after receiving their initial two-dose series of the COVID vaccine.

Vaccines are available by appointment or walk-in basis Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon. Call 915-533-3414 or visit www.immunizeelpaso.org for more information.

More: More transmissible Omicron subvariant of COVID-19 detected in El Paso, case numbers dropping

Cristina Carreon may be reached at ccarreon@elpasotimes.com and @Cris_carreon90 on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Immunize El Paso still giving free COVID vaccines despite less funding