The COVID vaccine that’s currently available has been around since September 2023 (and this spring, an extra shot of the vaccine formulation was recommended for people age 65 and older.) The new, updated COVID vaccine targeted to the latest variants is scheduled for release this fall, with Pfizer and Moderna both saying their vaccines could be ready as early as this month.
But Chin-Hong says that just because a new vaccine is expected soon, uninsured people shouldn’t be dissuaded from getting the current vaccine for free now – not just because the money for free shots is about to run out, but also because it’s not necessarily the best idea to get the new shot the minute it’s released anyway.
Even though the CDC recommends that you wait two months between COVID shots, “you won’t want to get the vaccine when it comes out immediately anyway as it is meant for the expected onslaught of cases in the winter,” Chin-Hong said. “Get it too soon, and your maximal antibodies will peak before you need it.”
And amid current high infection rates, there’s data to indicate that the available COVID vaccine still offers good protection against the latest variants causing this surge, even though it was originally targeted to older variants, Chin-Hong said.
“The superpower of the vaccine is to protect against serious disease, hospitalization and death,” he said. “And for that, even the [current] XBB.1.5 booster will perform spectacularly well.”
Getting the current COVID vaccine now for free might also buy uninsured folks some time – and extra immunity – as public health agencies work out how to continue extending access to them, said Chin-Hong.
“Uninsured people who get the vaccine now can rest assured that the vaccine will likely protect against serious disease for at least a year,” he said. “So even if there are problems with getting the new vaccine in the fall, I feel comfortable that many of those can take this immune system reminder to carry them through the winter reasonably well.”
How can I find a free COVID shot ASAP if I’m uninsured?
Like many aspects of finding COVID care at this stage of the pandemic, even finding a location that offers free COVID vaccines to uninsured people through the Bridge Access Program has become more difficult – especially since the CDC removed its online vaccine locator tool that showed all Bridge Access Program sites from vaccines.gov.
So if you’re uninsured and want to find a free COVID shot as soon as possible before the program funding runs out, here’s a selection of options. Unfortunately, a number of them now require proactive research and action.
Use the state’s My Turn Vaccine Locator
This online tool from the California Department of Public Health allows you to filter by vaccine type and insurance status. However, this tool does not show every single vaccination site that may offer free shots through the Bridge Access Program for those without insurance. For example, it only returns two clinics that offer COVID shots to uninsured people within 50 miles of San Francisco (in Napa and San Jose).
Find a community health center through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
HHS has a map tool showing community health centers that may offer free COVID shots for uninsured people. After you search for a nearby location, contact that center directly to ask if its offering no-insurance COVID shots for free through the Bridge Access Program.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) also says that its AITC Immunization and Travel Clinic provides the COVID vaccine to uninsured people, although the agency notes that “people outside of San Francisco are encouraged to contact their local health department to find a vaccine near them.” The clinic is located at 101 Grove Street, Room 102, and appointments are required: call 415-554-2625 for hours and availability.
SFDPH also recommends that uninsured people visit the appointment-only San Francisco Free Clinic (4900 California Street; call 415-750-9894 for hours and availability). But when you call, check if you need to be a SF resident to receive a free COVID vaccine.
Reach out to your local pharmacy
Both the California Department of Public Health and SFDPH recommend you directly contact pharmacies near you to ask if they have COVID vaccines in stock and whether they’re offering those shots for free through the Bridge Access Program.
Remember to be really careful and confirm, repeatedly, that any shot will actually be free, as the out-of-pocket cost can be steep.
Reach out to your local health department
Contact your city or county’s public health department to ask if they’re still offering free COVID vaccines to folks without insurance through the Bridge Access Program or otherwise. The following links may also provide information on community clinics offering vaccines – just be sure to stress you don’t have insurance and are looking for free shots.
What’s going to happen with free COVID vaccinations for uninsured people in the long run?
It’s still unclear.
In a recent statement, the California Department of Public Health says they are “exploring options to continue to support COVID-19 vaccine access after the end of the BAP program for uninsured and underinsured adults, including limited federal and state funding sources,” and that vaccine manufacturers “may also develop patient assistance programs.”
The agency, is said, “remains committed to monitoring vaccine access options for vulnerable populations including uninsured adults and will share relevant information as it becomes available.”
Dr. Stacey, of Lifelong Medical Care, says that in the absence of official guidance, clinics like his are “going to work on seeing what we can do to get funding and get resources to be able to continue, hopefully in the near future, to be able to provide the vaccines to the uninsured again.”
“We are trying to figure out how we can get funding or be able to purchase at least a limited supply of vaccines that we can use for those who are experiencing homelessness,” he said. “We don’t have a solution to that right now. Not only are the vaccines not being provided to us through this program, but the cost of the vaccines has also gone up.”
Dr. Chin-Hong, of UCSF, is optimistic that in the fall, Bay Area and statewide public health officials “will likely find a way to get the new COVID vaccine into uninsured arms,” since he’s found those agencies “generally more forward thinking” and willing to “provide more safety net programs than many other areas in the country.”
“However,” he cautions, “it will take some time for these programs to roll out smoothly.”
