NEW COVID VACCINES NOW AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS FREE COVID TESTS

By Miriam Raftery

September 25, 2023 (San Diego) – A new COVID-19 vaccine designed to target the latest variants is now available.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends it for everyone six months and older, as long as it's been at least two months since your last vaccine. The new vaccine is available free for adults.

This is the first fall and winter virus season where vaccines are available for the three viruses responsible for most hospitalizations – COVID-19, RSV, and flu.

With COVID surging, the federal government is once again offering free at-home COVID-19 tests.  Each U.S. household can order four free rapid tests delivered to your residence.   

Order Free At-Home Tests online.  Need help placing an order for your at-⁠home tests?

Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).

The U.S. government will continue to make COVID-⁠19 tests available to uninsured individuals and underserved communities through existing outreach programs.

Please contact a HRSA health center, Test to Treat site, or ICATT location near you to learn how to access low- or no-cost COVID-⁠19 tests provided by the federal government.

If you have expired COVID tests, be aware that expiration dates have been extended on some. To find out which tests’ expiration dates have been extended, visit  https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/NewDate .