New COVID tests are coming, vaccine ready

Starting this month, Americans will be able to order free COVID-19 test kits that will be mailed to their homes.

U.S. households will be able to order as many as four nasal swab tests at COVIDTests.gov when the federal program reopens. The U.S. Health and Human Services agency overseeing the program has not yet given an exact date when ordering can begin.

An agency spokesperson has said the tests will detect current virus strains and can be ordered ahead of the holiday season, when families and friends gather for celebrations.

U.S. regulators last month approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine that is designed to combat the recent virus strains and, hopefully, forthcoming winter ones, as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention already has recommended this fall’s shot for everyone age 6 months and older.

While most Americans have some degree of immunity from prior infections or vaccinations or both, that protection wanes. Last fall’s shots targeted a different coronavirus variant, a strain that’s no longer circulating.

The newest vaccine targets the latest coronavirus variant. Shots are available now.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following tips:

* Call your doctor, pharmacist or community health center, or visit their website to schedule an appointment.

* Check your local pharmacy’s website to see if vaccination appointments are available. Some pharmacies may offer vaccines to walk-in patients.

* Get an updated COVID-19 vaccine even if you already had COVID-19.

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from COVID-19 infection provides added protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. People who already had COVID-19 and do not get vaccinated after their recovery are more likely to get COVID-19 again.

If you recently had COVID-19, you still need to stay up to date with your vaccines, but you may consider delaying your vaccine dose by 3 months.

Talk to your doctor if you have questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Source: Centers for Disease Control