How to get the updated COVID vaccine without paying a bundle: County of Santa Clara works to enroll people in health coverage and get them vaccinated
With the recent expansion of Medi-Cal in California, even more people can get vaccinated for free, or at low cost, after health insurance enrollment
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. – With the sunset of federal government programs providing free COVID vaccines, options for adults for getting the updated COVID vaccine approved in August 2024 are different this fall. Having health insurance helps ensure access not only to free or low-cost vaccination, including the COVID vaccine, but also to other routine preventive health care for overall long-term health and wellness. Children, regardless of insurance status, can still access vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program. As part of its commitment to addressing health disparities and advancing health equity, the County of Santa Clara is working to get people enrolled in Medi-Cal, including immigrants living with limited family resources. Everyone aged 6 months and older should receive the updated COVID vaccine for best protection against the types of COVID currently circulating in the community.
In early 2024, California implemented an expansion of the Medi-Cal program, making health insurance widely available to low-income individuals and families, regardless of your immigration status. Santa Clara County added thousands of previously ineligible people to Medi-Cal, but thousands more who may be eligible for coverage have not yet applied. Applying for Medi-Cal will not change your immigration status and will not hurt your chances of becoming a resident or citizen.
“It’s deeply disappointing that the federal government has ended the program that provided access to free COVID shots for adults who are uninsured and underinsured. Fortunately, free or low-cost COVID shots are still available through health insurance, and the County is working to make Medi-Cal enrollment as accessible as possible after recent eligibility expansions,” said Dr. Sara Cody, Health Officer for the County of Santa Clara and Director of the Public Health Department.
The County Health System can help with Medi-Cal enrollment. Call (866) 967-4677 or visit the Patient Access Department at 770 South Bascom Avenue in San José between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
“Vaccines and all routine health care are vital to our work of creating a healthy Santa Clara County. Santa Clara County has a great record of helping our residents find health coverage. Recent Medi-Cal expansions mean more people are eligible and have gained health coverage in the past few years. However, tens of thousands of people in our county still lack health coverage – and may be eligible for it through Medi-Cal or other programs. If someone is facing high out-of-pocket expenses, our Healthcare Access Program (HAP) may further help in easing care costs. We’ll also help you look for other programs to help pay your bills,” said Dr. Angela Suarez, Primary Care Medical Director, Santa Clara Valley Healthcare.
Where to get low-cost or free vaccines
- The best place to get the updated COVID vaccine is from your regular doctor or healthcare system or a pharmacy covered by your insurance, such as CVS, Walgreens, or other pharmacies. For those with health insurance, most will be able to receive the vaccine without any out-of-pocket cost.
- Right now, those who are without a doctor or health insurance need to be enrolled in health insurance to access free or low-cost COVID vaccines. Without health insurance, out-of-pocket payment may be required to receive the COVID vaccine. Individuals who need a doctor or health insurance can call the County’s Patient Access Department at (866) 967-4677; drop in at 770 South Bascom Ave. in San José between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; or visit health.sccgov.org and look for “help finding healthcare coverage.”
- Santa Clara Valley Healthcare patients can go online to get an appointment for the updated COVID vaccine. Appointments are available now for SCVH patients.
- Children up to age 18 can get the COVID vaccine at no cost through the federal Vaccines for Children program, which provides routine vaccinations to Medicaid-eligible children and children who are uninsured. There are more than 100 doctors in Santa Clara County already enrolled in Vaccines for Children to provide free vaccines. Information on where to access Vaccines for Children is available at eziz.org/vfc/provider-locations.
Getting vaccinated against COVID protects people and their families from serious illness and hospitalization from COVID. Preventive measures like wearing a mask in crowded indoor places and staying home when you are sick continue to add layers of protection against respiratory viruses. Just like last year, the April 2023 health order will continue to require masks in all patient care areas of health care facilities starting November 1 and continuing through the winter respiratory virus period.
For the best protection during the respiratory virus season, it is also important that everyone 6 months and older receive the annual flu shot. It is safe and effective to get both the updated COVID vaccine and this year’s flu vaccine at the same time.
For more information about where to get vaccines, visit publichealth.santaclaracounty.gov.