Respiratory virus season is here, and it’s time to protect ourselves and our community from serious illness caused by COVID-19, flu, and RSV. These viruses can hit hard, especially for older adults and those with pre-existing conditions, but anyone can be at risk. The good news? You can protect yourself from serious illness, hospitalization, and even death by getting vaccinated. Updated vaccines offer the best defense against these viruses, whether it’s your first time or not.
Don’t wait—get vaccinated now to stay healthy this season.
What You Need to Know About the Latest COVID-19 & Flu Vaccines
Taking control of your health starts with smart choices. Eating healthy, exercising, and reducing stress on your list? Add one more: getting vaccinated yearly for COVID-19 and the flu. These vaccines are safe, thoroughly tested, and updated to protect against the latest strains. And the best part? You can get both in one visit!
COVID-19 and flu vaccines are free through most insurance plans, including Medicare Part B. Children may qualify for free vaccines through the Vaccines for Children Program, and local health departments may offer them for adults. Visit vaccines.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 for more information and to find a vaccination site near you.
This year, free COVID-19 tests are available to order – 4 for each household -- making it easy to detect the virus early. By testing regularly and staying up to date with your vaccinations, you can reduce the spread of viruses in your home, workplace, and community. Many COVID-19 tests have extended expiration dates, so you may be able to use your COVID-19 tests even after the printed expiration date. To see if your test qualifies, check the list of extended expiration dates.
Your health is your most valuable asset, and taking simple steps like testing and getting vaccinated can help protect it. Here’s a list of vaccines every adult should consider—just be sure to consult your doctor to find out which ones are best for you.
It’s hard to believe it has been over four years since COVID-19 vaccines first rolled out! They’ve saved millions of lives and helped us get back to our new normal. But even now, there’s still a lot of misinformation floating around on blogs, TikTok, and social media. Let’s cut through the noise—get the facts here!
Since 2020, we’ve been on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis. Our affiliates have supported families who lost income during lockdowns, uplifted our kids during virtual learning, and helped community members grieving the loss of loved ones.
Our work continues today, ensuring that our communities are safe from COVID-19. It truly takes a village to overcome these challenges. We invite you to explore the incredible efforts of the Urban League movement, including initiatives funded by our HRSA grant. This program empowered six affiliates in areas with low vaccination rates by providing community health navigators who guided residents through the vaccination process.
Additionally, our COVID-19 Needs Assessment was created to help identify the unique needs of our communities and ensure that we can respond effectively with targeted support.