Preventive care can help you stay healthy, but many people put off going to the doctor because of COVID. If you delayed your annual checkup or other doctor visit, it’s probably time to make an appointment. That is especially true if you have a chronic condition or other health issue.

Vaccinations are a key part of preventive care. Everyone 5 and older can get a COVID vaccine. It’s free and available even if you don’t have health insurance.

Remember to get a booster if you are eligible. They are recommended for everyone 12 years-old and older:

• two months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
• five months after the Moderna or Pfizer BioNTech vaccine

Adults do not have to use the same vaccine brand as a booster, but Pfizer BioNTech is the only booster recommended for 12 to 17 year-olds.

Need help finding a COVID vaccine appointment near you? There are lots of resources:

• find a location here
• call 1-833-829-4357 (1-833-VAX-HELP) and press #
• text your zip code to 438-829 (GET VAX) or 822-862 (VACUNA)
• for help getting to an appointment, Lyft and Uber are offering free rides and several public transportation options are available in western Washington and through King County Metro and Sound Transit (options may vary by your location)
• if you or someone you know is homebound, fill out this form for an at-home visit from a mobile vaccine clinic

Your vaccination verification card is very important. Don’t lose it or laminate it. You have several options to carrying a paper copy.

If you are unsure about getting the COVID vaccine and want to know more about it, click here. Vaccine information is available in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, and other languages here.

If you haven’t gotten the vaccine, remember to wear a mask in public, wash your hands often, and stay 6 feet from others.

Sources: U.S. National Library of Medicine, Washington State Department of Health, King County Metro, Sound Transit, Uber, and Lyft