Newest COVID-19 vaccine available in Benton County for insured and uninsured

COVID-19 vaccines have received an update this respiratory season and Benton County Health Department recommends everyone ages 6 months or older receive the updated vaccine.

The newest vaccines were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this September, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) moved quickly to recommend the updated vaccines.

According to the CDC, the newest vaccines (made by Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax) were created to more closely target currently circulating strains of coronavirus. These vaccines significantly reduce the risk of developing severe COVID-19 complications and hospitalization, ultimately protecting against avoidable severe illness or death. 

The newest COVID-19 vaccines are effective at saving and protecting lives and health system dollars, while also reducing strains on healthcare resources and the workforce. Vaccination is especially important as we head into the winter, a common time when COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases circulate in high volume across the country.

Shipments of the newest vaccines have continued to arrive at local pharmacies and healthcare providers, though the commercialization of the vaccines has resulted in some shipping delays so supplies may still be limited in some locations. To find a vaccine near you, ask your health care provider, local pharmacies, visit vaccines.gov, or call 211.

Since the federal public health emergency ended in May 2023, the COVID-19 vaccine is no longer provided at no-cost, however, most people can still get a COVID-19 vaccine for free. 

For people with health insurance, most plans will cover COVID-19 vaccines at no cost, although you may need to use an approved, in-network pharmacy or healthcare facility. Check with your insurance provider if you have questions.

People who don’t have health insurance, or who have health plans that do not cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccines, may receive a no-cost vaccine through the CDC’s new Bridge Access Program. Providers will ask patients whether they have health insurance at the point of care to determine eligibility. Visit vaccines.gov to find a provider that offers no-cost COVID-19 vaccines through the Bridge Access Program.  

Benton County Health Department also provides vaccines at no cost to eligible children and some adults through the Bridge Access Program and the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. Call 541-766-6835 to check availability. 

Benton County Public Health continues to coordinate focused outreach efforts with community partners to offer COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations to Benton County residents who are uninsured.

                                                                 ###

Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.