Free, at-home COVID tests are now available nationwide through the U.S. federal government. Free tests have been available since September 25th, and each household can now order up to four free test kits that will be delivered through the U.S. Postal Service. The government has relaunched its free test kit program in anticipation of a surge in COVID cases, likely during the Fall and Winter months.
Ordering tests online is simple: visit the website, www.covid.gov/tests, and enter a mailing address. Be aware of scams, and never share your credit card information. The test kits are free; if you experience a website asking for payment, report it as fraud through the website reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Free at-home COVID tests are also available at all San Bernardino County Libraries. You can pick up free tests at the Wrightwood Branch Library or the Phelan Memorial Library during regular business hours. No address or ID is required, nor is there a limit on the amount of test kits, and each box includes two or four rapid tests. Free tests are also available at the SBC Hesperia Health Center at 16453 Bear Valley Rd. in Hesperia and the SBC Women’s, Infants, and Children’s Center at 15247 Eleventh St., Ste. 700 in Victorville, open Monday through Friday.
The 2023/2024 COVID-19 vaccines will also be available for adults and children six months or older. Individuals with private health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid may schedule an appointment at Rite Aid in Phelan for their vaccination beginning Friday, October 20th. Visit www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/scheduler to make an appointment; you must bring your ID and health insurance info to your appointment. According to the CDC, an updated COVID-19 vaccine is needed for those who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past two months.
Those without health insurance can participate in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program, which provides no-cost COVID-19 vaccines to adults without health insurance but is only available at select CVS and Walgreens locations, and according to the vaccines.gov website, the closest Bridge Access Program is available at the CVS in Hesperia at 12795 Main St, Hesperia. Appointments can be scheduled on their website as well at www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine
