Free COVID Test Kits: The U.S. government is relaunching its free COVID-19 home testing program at the end of September. After being paused in March, the program will allow you to order up to four free COVID-19 tests per household through COVIDTests.gov.
These tests detect current variants and are valid through the end of the year.
Free COVID Test Kits: U.S. Relaunches Free COVID-19 Home Testing Program
At COVIDtests.gov, you can order up to four free FDA-authorized COVID-19 rapid antigen tests. These tests will be delivered to your home by the U.S. Postal Service within 7 to 12 days.
There are no shipping fees, and you won’t need to provide any payment information—just your name and address. If you prefer, you can also call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to place your order.
This program aims to help families stay safe during the fall and winter. This marks the seventh time the Biden administration has rolled out this service since the program first began.
The tests are designed to help you keep track of your health as respiratory illnesses become more common in the cooler months.
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How to Get Your Free COVID Tests
Program Resumption Date: The government plans to restart the program at the end of September. While the exact date for when the website will be operational again hasn’t been announced, you’ll want to keep an eye on COVID.gov/tests for updates.
How It Works
Eligibility: Every U.S. household can order up to four free COVID-19 tests.
How to Order: You can request your tests through the website COVID.gov/tests. The site will soon direct you to where you can place your order.
Test Details: The tests are designed to detect current COVID-19 variants, ensuring they are effective against the strains circulating at the time.
Validity: The tests will be available for use through the end of 2024, giving you plenty of time to utilize them as needed.
Why COVID-19 is Important
Health and Safety: With a rise in COVID-19 cases across more than two dozen states, and as we enter the respiratory virus season, having access to free tests is crucial for managing health risks.
Previous Impact: Since the program’s launch in January 2022, over 900 million tests have been distributed. This effort has been key in helping families stay informed about their health and prevent the spread of the virus.
Current Context: The relaunch of this testing program is timely as new COVID-19 variants emerge and the colder months approach. This initiative will provide an important tool for monitoring and managing health during this period.
What About COVID-19 Vaccines?
With new variants circulating, the CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older get updated COVID-19 vaccines.
The FDA has recently approved new vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, which should be available in the coming weeks.
It is advisable to get these vaccines alongside your flu shot to ensure comprehensive protection.
What About COVID-19 Treatments?
For those on Medicare, Medicaid, or who are uninsured, Paxlovid, an antiviral drug for treating COVID-19, will be available for free through the end of 2024.
Pfizer will continue to offer assistance for uninsured and underinsured individuals beyond that period.
Additionally, Merck’s antiviral, Lagevrio, will be accessible through a patient assistance program for the uninsured.
Current Situation
Despite a summer surge in COVID-19 cases, there hasn’t been a corresponding increase in hospitalizations or deaths.
Immunity from previous vaccinations and infections has helped mitigate the impact. The CDC notes that while COVID-19 is currently showing similar severity to the flu, it remains more dangerous.
Keeping up with vaccinations and using free tests will be essential for staying safe.
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