Free COVID-19 tests will soon be available again to families across the country, health officials announced Friday.
Starting at the end of September, U.S. households will be eligible to order four COVID-19 test kits that will detect current variants of the virus, amid a massive surge in the number of COVID cases across most of the country.
Starting at the end of September, households across the country will be eligible to order 4 free COVID-19 tests at https://t.co/yHa2OdFQGM. The COVID-19 tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through at least the end of 2024. pic.twitter.com/ZPddKiuplk
— HHS ASPR (@ASPRgov) August 23, 2024
“I am pleased to announce that we will provide free COVID-19 tests this fall!” Dawn O’Connell, the assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the Department of Health and Human Services, wrote on X Friday afternoon.
According to O’Connell, more than 900 million tests have already been given away through the program. The free kits will again be available to order on COVIDTests.gov once the website relaunches next month, though an exact date has not been announced.
The nasal swab tests can be taken at home or in other locations, and administered to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Results typically come in 30 minutes or less.
In addition to the tests, O’Connell said the government’s Paxcess program will continue to distribute free Paxlovid treatment through the end of the year to people who test positive for COVID and are uninsured or on Medicare or Medicaid.
Drug maker Pfizer will take over the program next year and continue to provide the government-purchased Paxlovid medication.
On Thursday, the FDA announced it had approved two updated COVID vaccines, which are also expected to be available within days.
The two new shots, manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna, and are designed to target the KP.2 strain, a descendant of the highly contagious JN.1 variant.
