This update to the July 07, 2022 COVID-19 Community Partner Brief includes links to the Spanish and Portuguese versions:
SPANISH / PORTUGUESE

Rhode Island COVID-19 Partner Update


Vaccine News
 
How do I make an appointment to get vaccinated?
 
COVID-19 vaccines are available at the places where you normally get your vaccines, like doctors’ offices and pharmacies. 
Call your healthcare provider to see if they are providing COVID-19 vaccine.  
Use Vaccines.Gov to find COVID-19 vaccines near you. You can search by location and by vaccine type.  

Remember, COVID-19 vaccines are available at no out-of-pocket cost. People cannot be charged for a COVID-19 vaccine when vaccination is the only service provided. However, some vaccine providers may ask for insurance information to charge your insurance for the vaccine administration fee. You do not have to have health insurance to get a COVID-19 vaccination.     
 
Who can get the COVID-19 vaccines?
 
All people ages 6 months and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.   
Everyone age 5 or older is eligible for a booster dose. 
For COVID-19 vaccine recommendations by age, please see this chart. 
For COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for people who have weakened immune systems, please see this chart. 
 
How can I get my child vaccinated?
 
Children can get vaccinated at most places that offer COVID-19 vaccines.  
Many pediatric and family medicine practices are enrolled as providers of COVID-19 vaccine. Contact your child’s healthcare provider to learn if they are vaccinating children.  

Retail pharmacies (e.g., CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Stop & Shop) can vaccinate children age 3 or older. Visit the websites of these pharmacies for more information. Please note that CVS Minute Clinics are not considered pharmacies, but healthcare clinics. CVS Minute Clinics can vaccinate children as young as 18 months.  

To find COVID-19 vaccines near you, visit Vaccines.Gov.  When making an appointment, make sure that you choose the right vaccine for your child’s age. For example, some vaccines are for children age 6 months through 5 years. Other vaccines are for children age 5 through 11. Click here for more information
  
I can’t leave my home for a vaccine appointment. How do I get vaccinated?
 
Beginning July 1, there is a new process to request an at-home vaccination. People who are unable to leave their home for vaccine have the following options:  
 
Home Health Providers: Please contact your home health provider to see if they are offering vaccine.  
 
Through the following vaccine providers:  Please note that patients cannot be charged for a COVID-19 vaccine when vaccination is the only service provided. However, some at-home vaccination providers may charge insurance providers for administering, or giving you, the vaccine. A provider may ask you for your insurance information so they can charge your insurance an administration fee. You do not need insurance to get an at-home vaccination.  

• Alert Ambulance: Alert Ambulance can provide at-home vaccination throughout Rhode Island. To request an at-home vaccination through Alert Ambulance, you can email them at AlertMIHC@AlertEMS.com or call them at 508-944-7722.  
• Purple Shield Medical: Purple Shield can provide at-home vaccination throughout Rhode Island. To request an at-home vaccination by Purple Shield, please call 401-384-7752.  
• Bristol Emergency Medical Services: Residents of Bristol, Rhode Island can request at-home vaccination through Bristol EMS. Residents should contact Bristol EMS at: 401-253-6912. Please note that this service is only available to Bristol residents.  
• Cumberland Emergency Medical Services: Residents of Cumberland, Rhode Island can request at-home vaccination through Cumberland EMS. Residents should contact Cumberland EMS at: 401-334-3090 extension 3. Please note that this service is only available to Cumberland residents. 

 
Testing News
 
State-run COVID-19 test sites closed on June 30, 2022. As a result, the State’s test scheduling website at portal.ri.gov has been closed. The State is prepared to reopen some mass testing sites if community levels are high. To explore other testing options, like pharmacies and self-test kits, visit covid.ri.gov/testing.
 
Drug Overdose and Substance Use Prevention News
 
Upcoming Meeting of Governor’s Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force
 
The next meeting of the Governor’s Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force will take place on July 13 at 11:00 a.m.  The Task Force meets monthly from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month on Zoom.  For more information and to get the Zoom link, visit PreventOverdoseRI. Upcoming agendas and minutes are posted on the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s website the Friday before each Governor’s Task Force meeting. 
 
A Warning About Fentanyl
 
Fentanyl has been found in many different substances, including heroin, cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, and counterfeit pills (e.g., benzos, addies, percs, oxys). Anyone who uses drugs that may contain fentanyl, even occasionally, may be at risk of an overdose.
 
To prevent an overdose: 

• Avoid using alone and take turns
• Start with a small dose and go slowly
• Request a naloxone training for your organization, school, or business
• Keep naloxone (Narcan®) ready and on hand
• Test your drugs using fentanyl test strips