By Isabella
You know that shot you got at the doctors in November? The one that protects you from the flu. Well, thing is, that vaccine isn’t cheap. I mean, it’s a little syringe of the vaccine, but that’s worth anywhere from $15 to $40 and more! You know those shots you got (or will be getting) when you were 11? The tetanus and your first HPV shot? Well, those cost money too. The tetanus shot can be anywhere from around $25 to around $70 or $80. Talk about expensive! But that is not even the most expensive shot. Each HPV shot you receive costs around $250!
But what about the newly developed COVID-19 vaccine? Well, even though it’s not available for our use yet, for the priority people (doctors, nurses, seniors, the staff associated with senior living, teachers, cops, firefighters and more) still must pay for it. And one day soon, you’ll need to pay for a COVID-19 vaccine as well. So how much does the vaccine cost? Well, it costs anywhere from $19.50 to $37! And this is something everyone needs. It’s not really optional like a flu vaccine (although you still SHOULD get one). Many of the people who are most affected by this pandemic are also the who can’t afford to pay that much for a vaccine.
So why are the vaccines so expensive? Well, the drug companies who make the vaccines want more money, and so they make it more expensive knowing more people will spend the money to get the vaccination. But the entire country, and most of the rest of the world is in a crisis. Many have lost jobs because of the pandemic, and in order to finally end it, everyone will need to be able to afford the vaccine. Another reason is that the vaccine is in high demand right now, meaning people will do almost anything to receive a vaccine. Right now, the vaccine isn’t available for the general public, but when it is, it’s likely that the vaccine will cost more than what it does now.
But why should the vaccines be cheaper or free? Well, right now, it shouldn’t be about the money. It should be about the safety of our people. If the vaccine is so expensive that some people can't afford it, then that’s a group of people who can’t get vaccinated, which means you have a group of people who are still susceptible to COVID-19. In situations like these, it should never be about the money. The same companies who are selling the vaccine are already multimillion dollar companies that will have tumultuous opportunities in the future to become richer. But when in a situation like this it should be about the safety of the people and not the profit of corporations.
Should the vaccines be made cheaper? Vote in our poll: https://forms.gle/RStkRQJu4xN6ypC89
Scenario 1 is the scenario where vaccines are cheap, and scenario 2 is the scenario where the vaccines are more expensive.
Amendment! The COVID-19 vaccine is now free thanks to President Biden's COVID care package to the country!