The Biden administration's announcement that it will end the COVID-19 public health emergencies on May 11 will bring new costs as the development of vaccines, testing, and treatments will shift out of the direct hands of the federal government.
The conclusion of the emergencies as the country begins to treat the virus as an endemic threat will set into motion the transition of the COVID-19 response to the private sector, reinstating requirements for accessing public health insurance programs that had been relaxed or removed since the start of the pandemic.
Pfizer and Moderna have already said they are considering selling their COVID-19 vaccines in the range of $110 to $130 per dose once vaccines transition to the commercial market. The Biden administration has said it will seek avenues to make sure COVID-19 vaccines and treatments for all remain affordable after the public health emergency ends.