FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2022

Media Contact:          
Health-PIO@co.whatcom.wa.us

Federal Funds Covering Uninsured Testing and Vaccinations Ending

BELLINGHAM, WA – While federal funding that covers testing and vaccination for uninsured people is running out, the Whatcom County Health Department will continue to vaccinate uninsured people at no cost at its popup clinics through at least June 30, 2022.

The federal Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) has been reimbursing testing and vaccine providers for the costs of testing and vaccinating uninsured people. However, funding ended for testing on March 22 and will end for vaccination on April 5. Because Whatcom County Health Department vaccination pop-up clinics are funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, these clinics will continue vaccinating uninsured persons at no out-of-pocket cost. 

The weekly pop-up vaccination clinic list is available on the Whatcom County website at http://whatcomcounty.us/covidvaccine. People with limited internet access who need to schedule an appointment can call 360-778-6100 (Monday through Friday except for holidays, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., no voicemail).

Whatcom County residents have state and federal options for obtaining rapid at-home COVID-19 tests. Free antigen tests can be ordered from the federal government through covidtests.gov or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). In addition, free tests can be ordered from Washington State Department of Health at https://sayyescovidhometest.org or by calling 1-800-525-0127.

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