COVID-19

Prevention

The CDC recommends that healthcare providers promote COVID-19 vaccines as the best tool available to prevent Long COVID and promote additional measures to prevent acute COVID-19 and reduce the severity of COVID-19 illness.

The CDC recommends that all people use prevention strategies to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

• Current Rhode Island Respiratory Virus Data trends
• Respiratory Guidance Snapshot Graphic (Spanish)

Vaccination

To stay protected against COVID-19, it’s important to keep your vaccines up to date. This means getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine when you are eligible. Everyone age 6 months or older can get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Updated Vaccines

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the updated 2026-2027 Moderna, Pfizer, and Sanofi (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccines in August 2026. These vaccines target currently circulating variants and provide improved protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death for the following age groups:

• Moderna: age 6 months or older
• Pfizer: age 5 years or older
• Sanofi (Novavax): age 12 years or older

A second dose of the 2026-2027 COVID-19 is recommended for some people:

• The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends a second dose for people age 65 or older. 
• The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommends a second dose for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

Where To Get Vaccinated

• You can get COVID-19 vaccines at your usual healthcare locations such as doctors’ offices and pharmacies. Ask your healthcare professional or pharmacy if they offer the COVID-19 vaccine.
• To find COVID-19, flu, RSV, and pneumococcal pneumonia vaccines based on your location and vaccine type, visit VaxAssist.

Community Clinics

2026-2027 vaccination clinics are held at schools in the late afternoon and evening and are open to the entire community. You can currently register for flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine, which will be available at these clinics for people age 3 or older. Register for school and community clinic vaccinations at schoolflu.com. 

• It's safe to get both vaccines at the same visit
• No insurance required
• No out-of-pocket cost for vaccination
• You can get the 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine even if you haven't gotten a COVID-19 vaccine in the past 

You must pre-register to guarantee an appointment. You can select any available timeslot as a placeholder. Walk-ins are accepted on a limited basis, as resources allow.

Other Ways to Prevent COVID-19

To find out if you can get prevention medications, call your primary care provider or child’s pediatrician, local healthcare clinic, or pharmacist. Make sure to check with your insurance provider about coverage and any out-of-pocket costs.

Taking Medication After You’re Exposed to COVID-19

XOCOVA (ensitrelvir) is a prescription medicine used to help prevent COVID‑19 in adults and children age 12 and older after contact with a person who has COVID‑19. XOCOVA targets a part of the COVID-19 virus that plays a key role in how multiplies.

Taking Medication Before You’re Exposed to COVID-19

Some people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised can take medication for added protection against COVID-19 before they’re exposed to someone who has COVID-19.

Along with vaccination, Pemgarda (pemivibart) may provide another layer of protection against COVID-19 for people age 12 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised and weigh at least 88 pounds. You can get it at least 2 weeks after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Frequently Asked Questions on the Emergency Use Authorization for Pemgarda (pemivibart), FDA

Testing and Diagnosis

• Testing for COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses when you feel sick can help guide decisions to further protect yourself and others. 
• Testing may be most helpful if you are at higher risk of getting very sick so you can seek healthcare quickly and start treatment, if appropriate.

How can I get tested for COVID-19?

• Whether you have symptoms or not, you can use COVID-19 self tests to learn your COVID-19 status in 15-30 minutes. These are also called at-home tests or over-the counter tests. You can buy them through pharmacies and online retailers. 
• Call your primary care provider or child’s pediatrician, local healthcare clinic, or pharmacy to find out if they offer COVID-19 testing or if they can order a test through a laboratory.

Be sure to check with your insurance provider about coverage and any out-of-pocket costs.

Treatment 

Treatment for COVID-19 is most important if you are at high risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19. If you’re at high risk, treatment can prevent hospitalization and death. Treatment may also reduce your risk of getting Long COVID. 

People who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 include:

• Older adults, especially age 75 or older, with risk increasing with advancing age
• People who are unvaccinated or not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines 
• People with certain medical conditions, such as chronic lung disease, heart disease, or a weakened immune system
• CDC reports pregnancy and recent pregnancy as conditions with conclusive evidence indicating an increased risk for at least one severe outcome from COVID-19 

Don't Delay

If you get sick and are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, talk to your healthcare professional about the treatment that’s best for you as soon as your symptoms start. You must start treatment within 5-7 days of when you first have COVID-19 symptoms. Treatment is more effective if you start it as soon as symptoms start. You do not need a positive COVID-19 test to start treatment.

COVID-19 Treatment Options

Several prescription medications treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. These antiviral medications target specific parts of the virus to stop it from multiplying in the body once someone is infected, helping to prevent severe illness and death. Talk to your healthcare professional about the treatment that’s best for you as soon as your symptoms start.

Treatment Resources

• FDA Fact Sheet on Paxlovid
• FDA Fact Sheet on LAGEVRIO™ (molnupiravir)
• Learn about a path to recovery with VEKLURY®
• If you don’t have a regular healthcare professional, visit RIDOH’s website to find urgent care and health centers.