COVID vaccines meet the insurance industry.

From Marketplace, I'm Sabri Benashore, in for David Brunkaccio.

The latest COVID vaccines are out, much like how the flu shot is adjusted each year to

match the latest strains of flu.

These COVID vaccines are designed to counter the virus's latest mutations.

Health experts say it's important to get vaccinated now, to be ready for this fall and

winter when cases could increase more than they already have.

Some people who have tried to get vaccinated have come up against new obstacles.

That is because this is the first round of COVID vaccinations to rely mostly on the usual

insurance and provider networks, as opposed to the government.

Marketplace's Nova Sappho has more.

There was a time, before now, when getting a COVID vaccine meant figuring out the nearest

place that had one and making an appointment, or sometimes even just walking in.

That's because the federal government was footing the bill and distributing the vaccines.

The Congress did not authorize more funding and COVID vaccinations are now going through

the commercial health care system.

Cue the problems.

I've been turned away twice for vaccine appointments that I had.

That Cynthia Cox, she lives in Washington, D.C.

Although it was in stock and although I was willing to pay cash up front, my insurer kept

me from being able to get the vaccine because it was an out-of-network pharmacy.

This also happens to be a health care policy researcher at the Kaiser Family Foundation.

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