Updated vaccines that target currently circulating strains of the virus that causes COVID-19 are available now at pharmacies throughout Arkansas.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a 2024–2025 vaccine to protect against potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 this fall and winter — including hospitalization, death, and risk of long COVID. The CDC notes that it is particularly important to stay up to date on COVID-19 immunizations for those who are 65 and older, at high risk for severe illness, or have never gotten a COVID-19 shot.
Peak flu season is also just around the corner, and in many cases, Arkansans can get a flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit.
In September, the federal government also reactivated a program that allows U.S households to request free, at-home COVID-19 tests. Each household is eligible to receive four free tests that can detect currently circulating COVID-19 variants. Request tests online at covidtests.gov.
For more resources and updates on COVID-19 vaccines, including information on scheduling and recommendations for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, visit the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine page. More information about the flu vaccine can be found here.
