Due to a lack of congressional funding, the federal financial support for free COVID-19 testing programs has been suspended, but the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) will continue to provide free at-home test kits through the end of 2022.
With respiratory illnesses like RSV and the flu in peak season, at-home test kits play an essential role in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. Rapid at-home tests allow people to determine their COVID-19 status without risking further exposure at a health care facility.
Additionally, as of December 5, DOH has updated its testing guidance to allow the use of at-home rapid antigen testing for children under 2 years of age. At this time, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved or authorized any at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen test for use in children under 2 years of age. However, at-home tests can be safely used for children under 2 years of age after being exposed, while in isolation, and if a child is experiencing symptoms.
DOH recommends that parents or guardians that choose to test children under 2 years of age administer the at-home tests themselves and follow the instructions for use that come with the test for specific directions on testing children. Using at-home tests will help relieve the demand for testing in primary care, urgent care, and emergency departments settings which are currently overwhelmed, especially the pediatric health care system.
While supplies last, order up to 10 free at-home COVID-19 test kits per month through the Say Yes! COVID Test program. Consult DOH’s recent news release on this topic for more information.
Find in-language instructions for common brands of at-home test kits in our At-Home Testing folder in Dropbox.