Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra sent a letter on Thursday to COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers indicating that the federal government will continue to purchase vaccines in advance of the transition of the products to the traditional consumer market for the 2023-2024 seasonal cycle.

"The COVID-19 response remains a significant public health priority for the Biden-Harris Administration and HHS," wrote Becerra. "The relationship with HHS and the manufacturers continues to evolve as the U.S. government moves into this next phase of our response, but your innovation and expertise will continue to be important to develop, manufacture, and help to ensure equitable access to lifesaving products going forward."

FTC INVESTIGATING CHATGPT OVER ALLEGATIONS IT HARMED CONSUMERS BY PUBLISHING FALSE INFORMATION

HHS announced a plan in April to cover access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatment for uninsured people by creating a "novel funded partnership with pharmacy chains" to continue access to government-subsidized anti-coronavirus products.

Becerra further clarified the details of this plan in the letter sent on Thursday, outlining that the CDC will purchase the vaccines through the agency's authority under Section 317 of the Public Health Service Act.

Becerra stressed that manufacturers need to have their supply ready "by the later part of September" for necessary actions by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be completed for the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

At an FDA meeting in June to assess what strain of SARS-CoV-2 would be dominant this coming season, FDA Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation Peter Marks said that the new vaccines covering the XBB1.5 strain should be rolled out in "September-ish," keeping in mind supply and regulatory factors.

Becerra noted in Thursday's letter that "accurate and timely data will also continue to be vital as we uphold our shared goal of facilitating equitable access to COVID-19 products. ... Your sharing of information with government partners is fundamental to maintaining our mutual commitment to equity."

Becerra also warned that prices for vaccines and treatment must be kept at a reasonable level and that companies must begin working with insurance providers and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to determine a market price for the products.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

"Updated COVID-19 vaccines entering the market this fall should be priced at a reasonable rate, reflective of the value that you have obtained through U.S. government investment. Price gouging behavior takes advantage of the trust the American people have placed in you through the COVID-19 response," wrote Becerra.

As of this May, only 22% of adults remained "very concerned" about the state of COVID-19.