Free COVID Tests Are Coming Back by End of September

THURSDAY, Sept. 26, 2024 (HealthDay Information) — Beginning at this time, the U.S. authorities is providing one other spherical of free COVID exams.

“U.S. households shall be eligible to order 4 free COVID-19 exams at COVIDTests.gov,” based on the Division of Well being and Human Providers. “The COVID-19 exams will detect present COVID-19 variants and can be utilized by the top of the 12 months.”

Greater than 900 million such exams have already been distributed to assist of us get examined and handled earlier, and to maybe preserve them from spreading COVID to others.

When you’ve by no means examined for COVID earlier than, the nasal swab kits are simple to make use of.

“At-home COVID exams will be taken at dwelling or in different areas and sometimes present outcomes inside half-hour or much less,” based on the HHS.  “COVID exams will be administered to each vaccinated and unvaccinated people.”

Testing could turn out to be useful as gatherings for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas push individuals into shut proximity.

“One of the best plan going into this winter is for everybody to stay vigilant, to make use of the instruments we now have: vaccines, testing, therapy towards the diseases accountable for almost all of fall and winter deaths and hospitalizations,” Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, stated Friday, CNN reported.

And remember vaccines.

The most recent, strain-specific formulation of COVID vaccine is now obtainable, in each the RNA type (Moderna and Pfizer) or Novavax’ protein-based different.

The mRNA vaccines goal the KP.2 ‘FLiRT’ variant, which has been a dominant pressure since late spring, whereas Novavax’ shot targets JN.1, which continues to be round however maybe much less dominant than in months previous.

All vaccines can be found at pharmacies nationwide, and it is advantageous to get a COVID and flu shot concurrently, specialists say.

Extra data

Discover out extra concerning the security and effectiveness of the COVID vaccines at cdc.gov.

SOURCE: HHS.gov