COVID-19 Vaccines, Testing, and Treatment
Last content update: 4/16/24
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and make an appointment.
Find testing sites near you and get free at-home test kits.
Did you test positive for COVID-19? Feel better faster. Learn more about free COVID-19 treatments.
If you do not have health insurance, you can still get vaccinated, tested, and treated for COVID-19. Refer to the COVID-19 Services for People Without Health Insurance section for more information.
Medical coverage for COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatment has changed following the end of the public health emergency. Refer to the California Department of Public Health's COVID-19 Medical Coverage Changes resource to learn what is still covered by Medi-Cal, Medicare, or private healthcare plans.
Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available for individuals ages 6 months and older.
Everyone 6 months and older is recommended to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose, if eligible. Individuals who are eligible to be vaccinated are encouraged, but not required, to make an appointment with their healthcare provider.
Make an appointment with a pharmacy.
Make an appointment to get vaccinated by Santa Clara Valley Healthcare.
Make an appointment to get vaccinated by your healthcare provider.
COVID-19 vaccines are now available for individuals ages 6 months and older!
The number of vaccines that you need depends on your age and the brand of vaccine. Click here to find out how many doses you need, and how long you should wait between doses.
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and side effects are mostly mild. People who receive all recommended doses have a lower risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
Visit the CDC’s Vaccines for COVID-19 and Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines webpages for more information on topics like:
- Vaccine eligibility
- Types and brands of available vaccines
- Mixing vaccine brands
- Vaccine safety
- Side effects
- Vaccinations received outside of the United States
- Getting vaccines if you had or currently have COVID-19
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines. If you are moderately or severely immunocompromised, you are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness. In addition, your immune response to vaccination may not be as strong as in people who are not immunocompromised.
You are best protected when you stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters.
Visit the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccines for People Who Are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised webpage for COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals.
There are several options for you to get a record of your COVID vaccination:
- You may request your Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record from the state at https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/ (provides immediate results).
OR
- If you were vaccinated by a healthcare provider, you may contact the provider that administered the vaccine. You may also contact your regular primary healthcare provider for your vaccine record.
OR
- If you received your vaccine in California, you have the option to request your COVID-19 vaccine record in-person at the Public Health Department Travel/Immunization Clinic located at 976 Lenzen Ave. Suite #1100 San Jose, CA 95126, phone number: (408) 792-5200.
- You may also request a COVID-19 vaccine card by filling out the following form:
California Immunization Registry (CAIR) Authorization to Release Vaccination Information. - You will receive an email notification when your COVID-19 vaccine card is ready to pick up at the Travel and Immunization Clinic.
- You may also request a COVID-19 vaccine card by filling out the following form:
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit the CDC's Vaccines for COVID-19 and Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination webpages.
Get Tested or Test at Home
Find testing sites near you.
Get Free At-Home Tests Delivered
Get free tests delivered to your home.
Pick up tests locally at Better Health Pharmacy.
You should get a COVID-19 test if:
- You have new symptoms of COVID-19 such as fatigue, headache, body/muscle aches, cough, fever, sore throat, and/or congestion.
- In the last 5 days you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and you are at higher risk for severe illness or have contact with people who are at higher risk for severe illness, unless you already tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 30 days.
If you have symptoms and are at higher risk for severe illness because of other medical conditions, age, or a weak immune system, getting tested will help you know if you should get COVID-19 treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness.
If you have new symptoms but have already tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, test yourself using an antigen test such as a rapid at-home test.
For more information on types of COVID-19 tests, visit the CDC’s COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know webpage.
*Please do not come to the Emergency Room if you ONLY need a COVID-19 test.*
Get free test kits mailed to your home
Every household in the U.S. is eligible to get four free at-home tests delivered to your home. Your order is completely free - you won’t even pay for shipping. Order your tests by filling out this form.
Pick up free test kits at the Better Health Pharmacy
Test kits are available free of charge at the Better Health Pharmacy. No identification or insurance required. Limit two boxes of tests (4 tests per box) per person.
Watch how easy it is to pick up by watching this video.
Better Health Pharmacy
725 E Santa Clara St, #202, San Jose, CA 95112
Tuesday-Friday 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
About Rapid Antigen Self-Tests
Antigen tests, also called "rapid tests" or "at-home tests", can be used to diagnose COVID-19 and produce results in 10-30 minutes.
If you test negative and have symptoms of COVID-19, consider testing again in 1-2 days, especially if your symptoms do not go away.
If you test positive, you have COVID-19 and should follow isolation guidelines. You do not need to get a PCR test to confirm that you have COVID-19.
How to Use a Self-Test
Read the complete manufacturer’s instructions before using a test. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about the test or your results.
Below is an example for one type of antigen test.
COVID-19 Medications
Medications that treat COVID-19 are available. Treatment can make you less likely to have serious complications or be hospitalized, especially if you are at higher risk of serious illness.
If you have mild or moderate symptoms, a healthcare provider may give you a prescription for COVID-19 medication. Do not delay seeking treatment, as the medications work best when given within 5 days after symptoms start and as soon as possible after testing positive for COVID-19.
Only take COVID-19 medication prescribed by a healthcare provider. People have been seriously harmed and even died after taking products not authorized to treat COVID-19, even products approved or prescribed for other uses.
For more facts and frequently asked questions about COVID-19 medication options, visit CDPH's COVID-19 Treatment website.
How to Get COVID-19 Medications
COVID-19 medications work best when taken within the first 5 days after symptoms begin. Get tested as soon as you notice symptoms. If you test positive, contact your healthcare provider to see if you qualify for oral medication to treat COVID-19.
Need oral medications for COVID-19? Make a FREE virtual appointment today!
- Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Call (408) 793-7440 or email [email protected] with your name and phone number. Our team will call you within 3 hours to discuss oral COVID-19 medication options.
Appointments are FREE to anyone with a positive COVID-19 test who has symptoms, regardless of insurance or citizenship status. However, there may be a cost for the medications themselves. For details about medication cost, see "How much do COVID-19 medications cost?" on CDPH's COVID-19 Treatment webpage.
COVID-19 Services for People Without Health Insurance
COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and medication is available to all - regardless of insurance or immigration status.
If you do not have a doctor or health insurance, call the County's Patient Access Department at 1 (866) 967-4677 or drop in at 770 S. Bascom Ave. San Jose, CA 95128.
COVID-19 Vaccines for Uninsured Adults
Visit vaccines.gov to find providers that offer no-cost COVID-19 vaccines through the Bridge Access Program. Enter your zip code and look for the “Bridge Access Program Participant” label in the search results.
Find a Bridge Access Program clinic
Or, book an appointment to get vaccinated by Public Health Pharmacy Travel and Immunization Clinic at My Health Online.
Make an appointment with Public Health Pharmacy Travel and Immunization Clinic
COVID-19 Vaccines for Uninsured Children
Visit eziz.org/vfs/provider-locations to find a clinic that offers no-cost vaccines to eligible children ages 18 and under through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.
For Medi-Cal members, children 3 years and older may also receive their no-cost vaccine at pharmacies.
COVID-19 Testing
- Visit California’s MyTurn website to find free testing sites near you
- Get four free at-home tests mailed to your home by USPS
- Get free at-home tests from Better Health Pharmacy
COVID-19 Medications
Anyone with a positive COVID-19 test who has symptoms can talk to a healthcare provider for FREE about COVID-19 medication, regardless of insurance or citizenship status. However, there may be a cost for the medications themselves. For details about medication cost, see "How much do COVID-19 medications cost?" on CDPH's COVID-19 Treatment webpage.
- Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Call (408) 793-7440 or email [email protected] with your name and phone number. Our team will call you within 3 hours to discuss oral COVID-19 medication options.