Starting Monday, 9/25/23, the US government is offering Americans the opportunity to request rapid antigen tests at https://www.covid.gov/tests. The tests are delivered through the United States Postal System. It’s reported that each household is eligible for four tests at this time.
COVID-19 cases in Colorado have more than tripled in the last month, from 757 the week of August 6th to 2,424 the week of September 10th, the most recent data available at the time of writing. Cases have increased every week in that period. Hospitalizations attributed to COVID-19 have nearly doubled, from 77 to 131.
To protect yourself, your household, and your community against COVID-19 this year, get the new COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. Vaccines can be acquired at your primary care provider, pharmacies, and vaccine clinics.
This vaccine, like all vaccines, is safe to get at the same time as the flu vaccine, RSV vaccine, and any other vaccines you may need.
This vaccine was developed this year and released this September, specifically to fight the most common and dangerous strains of COVID-19 currently making people sick.
However, this vaccine is no longer being paid for by the government, which means it is not necessarily free. Still, at this time programs exist that guarantee everyone access to the vaccine. At this time, most insurance companies are updating their policies to include the vaccine.
If you are uninsured or your insurance requires a co-pay, the Bridge Access Program by the HHS will cover the cost of your vaccine. At this time, the CDC is partnering with CVS and Walgreens to execute the Bridge Access Program. It applies to all adults, regardless of their citizenship status or insurance status.
As of September 20th, 2023, this is a detailed and fact-checked article non-specific to Colorado coaching individuals on where to find a COVID-19 vaccine and how to use the different programs to ensure that your vaccine is obtained within your means.
Use https://www.vaccines.gov/ as a way to find vaccine providers.
This vaccine is still brand-new and arriving at clinics, pharmacies, and healthcare providers across the nation. Information is developing day by day. For questions about vaccines & vaccine clinics, contact Kaia Ball (they/them) at kball@outboulder.org