COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatment
Last content update: 9/15/23
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and make an appointment.
Find PCR and antigen testing sites near you and get free at-home test kits.
Did you test positive for COVID-19? Feel better faster. Learn more about free COVID-19 treatments.
If you do not have health insurance, you can still get tested, vaccinated, and treated for COVID-19.
Visit the Pharmacy/Drop-in COVID-19 Services webpage to learn more about testing and vaccination options available to all - regardless of insurance or immigration status.
If you do not have a healthcare provider or health insurance, call the County's Patient Access Department at 1 (866) 967-4677.
Individuals who are eligible to be vaccinated are encouraged, but not required, to contact their healthcare system to make an appointment.
If you do not have a healthcare provider, refer to the options below.
Anyone can book an appointment to get vaccinated by Santa Clara Valley Healthcare, regardless of whether they have health insurance.
Make an appointment with a pharmacy.
Find a clinic that doesn't require appointments.
COVID-19 vaccines are now available for individuals ages 6 months and older!
The number of vaccines that you need depends on your age and the brand of vaccine. Click here to find out how many doses you need, and how long you should wait between doses.
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and side effects are mostly mild. People who receive a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and all recommended booster doses have a lower risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
Visit the CDC’s Vaccines for COVID-19 and Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines webpages for more information on topics like:
- Vaccine eligibility
- Types and brands of available vaccines
- Mixing vaccine brands
- Vaccine safety
- Side effects
- Vaccinations received outside of the United States
- Getting vaccines if you had or currently have COVID-19
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines. If you are moderately or severely immunocompromised, you are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness. In addition, your immune response to vaccination may not be as strong as in people who are not immunocompromised.
You are best protected when you stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters.
Visit the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccines for People Who Are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised webpage for COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals.
There are several options for you to get a record of your COVID vaccination:
- You may request your Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record from the state at https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/ (provides immediate results).
OR
- If you were vaccinated by a healthcare provider, you may contact the provider that administered the vaccine. You may also contact your regular primary healthcare provider for your vaccine record.
OR
- If you received your vaccine in California, you have the option to request your COVID-19 vaccine record in-person at the Public Health Department Travel/Immunization Clinic located at 976 Lenzen Ave. Suite #1100 San Jose, CA 95126, phone number:(408) 792-5200.
- You may also request a COVID-19 vaccine card by filling out the following form:
California Immunization Registry (CAIR) Authorization to Release Vaccination Information. - You will receive an email notification when your COVID-19 vaccine card is ready to pick up at the Travel and Immunization Clinic.
- You may also request a COVID-19 vaccine card by filling out the following form:
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit the CDC's Vaccines for COVID-19 and Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination webpages.
Get Tested or Test at Home
Find PCR and antigen testing sites near you.
Pick up tests locally at Better Health Pharmacy.
Find a clinic that doesn't require appointments.
You should get a COVID-19 test if:
- You have new symptoms such as fatigue, headache, body/muscle aches, cough, fever, sore throat, and/or congestion.
- In the last 3-5 days you have had exposure to someone with COVID-19.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and cannot get tested, assume you have COVID-19 and follow isolation guidelines while waiting for your test results.
If you have symptoms and are at high risk for severe illness because of other medical conditions, age, or have a compromised immune system, you may qualify for treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness.
Consider getting tested if:
- You are gathering indoors with others who are not in your household or attending a large event, especially if you will be around anyone who is at high-risk for serious illness from COVID-19.
Do not get a PCR test if:
- You have already tested positive with a PCR or rapid home test*.
*If you test positive on any kind of COVID-19 test, you do not need to test again in the 30 days after unless you develop new symptoms. This is because reinfections during this time period are unlikely.
*If you do develop new symptoms during the first 90 days after a positive COVID-19 test, test yourself using an antigen test such as a rapid at-home test.
Please do not come to the Emergency Room if you ONLY need a COVID-19 test.
Picking up test kits at the Better Health Pharmacy
Test kits are available free of charge at the Better Health Pharmacy. No identification or insurance required. Limit two boxes of tests (4 tests per box) per person.
Watch how easy it is to pick up by watching this video.
Better Health Pharmacy
725 E Santa Clara St, #202, San Jose, CA 95112
Tuesday-Friday 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
About Rapid Antigen Self-Tests
Antigen tests, also called "rapid tests" or "at-home tests", can be used to diagnose COVID-19 and produce results in 10-30 minutes.
If you test negative and have symptoms of COVID-19, consider testing again in 1-2 days, especially if your symptoms do not go away.
If you test positive, you have COVID-19 and should follow isolation guidelines. You do not need to get a PCR test to confirm that you have COVID-19.
How to Use a Self-Test
Read the complete manufacturer’s instructions before using a test. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about the test or your results.
Below is an example for one type of antigen test.
Your health insurance plan is required to cover the cost of COVID-19 diagnostic testing if ordered by your healthcare provider.
Most health plans are also required to cover the cost of 8 over-the-counter at-home tests per covered individual per month - learn more here.
If you do not have a healthcare provider, you can visit California’s MyTurn website to find free testing sites near you or get 8 free COVID-19 tests from Better Health Pharmacy in San Jose. Drop-in testing sites also provide free testing without an appointment.
Get FREE COVID-19 Treatment
Several COVID-19 treatment options are available in the United States. If you have mild or moderate symptoms, a health care provider may decide you are eligible for COVID-19 treatment. Do not delay seeking treatment for COVID-19, as it works best when given as soon as possible after testing positive for COVID-19.
Only take treatments prescribed by a health care provider. People have been seriously harmed and even died after taking products not authorized for COVID-19, even products approved or prescribed for other uses.
For more facts about COVID-19 treatment and treatment options, visit CDPH’s COVID-19 Treatment Website.
How to Access COVID-19 Treatment
COVID-19 treatments work best when taken soon after symptoms begin. Get tested as soon as you notice symptoms. If you test positive, contact your healthcare provider to see if you qualify for oral medication to treat COVID-19.
Need oral medications for COVID-19? The County of Santa Clara can help!
Make a FREE virtual appointment today!
- Call 1 (833) 686-5051 for California’s COVID-19 provider line, OR
- Call (408) 793-7440 or email [email protected] with your name and phone number. Our team will call you within 3 hours to discuss oral COVID-19 medication options.
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- After Hours and Weekend Support: Visit www.sesamecare.com/covid or call 1 (888) 897-1244 to connect with a healthcare provider for FREE COVID-19 medication if eligible.
Appointments and medications are FREE to anyone with a positive COVID-19 test who has symptoms, regardless of insurance or citizenship status.