COLUMBUS, Ohio — The national COVID-19 public health emergency, which was put in place on March 13, 2020, will end next month on May 11.

What You Need To Know

  • The federal COVID-19 public health emergency is set to end next month on May 11

  • The coverage of cost for COVID-19 vaccines and test kits will change
  • Health insurance should be able to cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccines
  • Except for those on Medicaid, the cost for at-home test kits will soon be out of pocket
​ ​That means how you get COVID-19 vaccines and test kits, and for how much, is also changing.

Health insurance should be able to cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccines, once the public health emergency is over.

Those without insurance may be able to get vaccinated at a low or zero cost from your local health department.

Meanwhile, the cost for at-home test kits will soon be out of pocket. Those with Medicaid, however, will be able to get free test kits through the middle of 2024.

While there may be changes coming to COVID-19 vaccines and testing, one area health official says the coronavirus, as a whole, is here to stay.

“People might think: ‘oh, you know, COVID-19 is over.’ COVID-19 is never going to be over. It’s going to be just like the seasonal flu,” said Dr. Mysheika Roberts, health commissioner for Columbus Public Health, saying you’ll likely need a yearly booster of the COVID-19 vaccine similar to needing a yearly booster to protect against the flu.

“We will continue to work with COVID-19, as well as a host of other respiratory viruses and obviously we will be prepared for whatever the next big thing is to come,” said Roberts.