The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that free COVID-19 testing will be available again this fall as cold and flu season begins. File photo by UPI
Aug. 24 (UPI) – The federal government is offering free COVID-19 testing, which will be available beginning in late September, to help control the large number of COVID-19 cases in the United States.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is offering free COVID-19 testing, vaccines and treatments as the country prepares for the annual return of cold and flu season, which lasts throughout the fall and winter.
“The best plan for this winter is for everyone to stay vigilant and use the tools we have at our disposal,” said CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen.
These tools include “vaccines, tests and treatments against the diseases that are responsible for the majority of deaths and hospitalizations this fall and winter,” Cohen said.
U.S. households can order up to four free COVID-19 tests online at COVIDTests.gov, which will be distributed starting in late September.
The option to order tests by mail free of charge was discontinued with effect from March 8.
In addition to free testing and vaccinations, the CDC offers the free antiviral drug Paxlovid to people who do not have health insurance or are covered by Medicaid or Medicare.
In addition, the CDC is providing financial support to local and state health departments to provide COVID-19 vaccines to uninsured or underinsured adults.
Children from low-income families will continue to be eligible for free vaccinations through the federal Vaccines for Children program.
Cohen said that during the summer, most COVID-related hospital and emergency room visits were for children under five.
CDC officials also expect that about the same number, or possibly fewer, people will be hospitalized for respiratory illnesses this fall and winter than a year ago.
