John,

New vaccines for recent COVID-19 variants are now available, just in time for the current summer surge and an upcoming winter surge of the virus.

Please schedule your vaccine appointment at your local CVS or Walgreens, where you can get both a flu shot and an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Or contact your healthcare provider directly.

If you have insurance through a private insurer or Medicare or Medicaid, your vaccines will likely be covered at no cost to you.

Unfortunately, the federal Bridge Access Program that provided free vaccines to uninsured adults just ended in August, leaving the most vulnerable communities behind. For the 25 million U.S. residents without health insurance, the out-of-pocket cost for these vaccines could be between $100 and $200.

If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you can find where you may be able to get a free COVID vaccine by checking with your local public health department. Let them know that you do not have health insurance. In Michigan, our state’s Adult Vaccine Program has received thousands of doses to provide for free or reduced cost at local health departments and Tribal health centers.

Uninsured children aged 18 and younger can still get COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines for free through the federal Vaccines for Children Program. Please check with your child’s doctor’s office or use the above link to find your local health department.

While staying up-to-date with the latest vaccines helps to lower the chances of infection and reduce the risk of developing long COVID, experts recommend using multiple layers of protection to keep ourselves and our communities safe.

People can be contagious without having symptoms, so testing regularly also helps prevent spread. Keep an eye out toward the end of this month: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will again ship up to four free COVID-19 tests per household, which you’ll be able to order online.

If you do test positive for COVID-19, you can reduce the risk of developing long COVID by resting as much as possible and checking with your healthcare provider about getting a prescription for Paxlovid.

Gathering outdoors is another way to reduce risk. When indoors, we can reduce the amount of time the virus stays in the air by filtering or ventilating indoor air by using air purifiers and opening windows. Spread by people’s breath, COVID is an airborne virus that lingers in the air like smoke, which is why wearing well-fitting masks is another important layer of protection.

I promise to continue fighting in Congress for a stronger social safety net, including more federal funding for COVID-19 protections, lower prescription prices, an end to medical debt, and free healthcare for all.

Always serving you,

Rashida