Free COVID-19 Tests And Vaccines: The Best Way To Beat The Cold Season

As the cold season approaches, the U.S. government is making it easier for people to get free COVID-19 tests and updated vaccines.

The Biden administration announced on Sept. 20 that it will resume its program of providing free at-home COVID-19 tests to American households. Starting Sept. 25, people can order up to four free tests per household at COVIDTests.gov. The program was paused in May due to high demand, but the administration is now able to resume it thanks to increased testing capacity.

The government is also making it easier for people to get the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, which was updated in August to protect against both the original strain of the virus and the Omicron variant. The vaccine is available for free to all Americans at most pharmacies, health clinics, and doctor’s offices.

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illness, hospitalization, and death.

How to find free COVID-19 tests

There are a few ways to find free COVID-19 tests:

Order free at-home tests from COVIDTests.gov.
Visit a community testing site. Many communities have testing sites that are free and open to the public. You can find a testing site near you using the CDC’s testing locator tool.
Check with your health insurance provider. Many health insurance plans cover the cost of COVID-19 testing.

How to get the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine

The bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is available for free at most pharmacies, health clinics, and doctor’s offices. You can find a vaccination site near you using the CDC’s vaccine finder tool.

Why it’s important to get vaccinated against COVID-19

The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective, and it has been proven to reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.

Especially important as the cold season approaches

The cold season is typically a time when respiratory illnesses, such as the flu and COVID-19, spread more easily. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting sick.