The emergency is over, but COVID-19 is not gone.
As of May 11, 2023, the federal COVID-19 public health emergency declaration has ended. While cases are down, COVID-19 is still a threat and the virus remains a leading cause of death in the United States.
Prevention and treatment are key to keep our communities safe and healthy. With the end of the public health emergency:
- COVID-19 vaccines are still free for everyone.
- Access to testing and treatment will vary depending on insurance status.
The Bridge Access Program for COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments provides funding to help maintain access to COVID-19 care for uninsured adults. Learn more and share about the program with this one-page overview (PDF) and talking points (PDF).
Latest News:
Updated COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for children and adults. Find a location near you.
Find the more current information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Watch new HHS videos featuring APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin sharing who has the highest risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 and why to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 is the illness caused by a novel, or new, coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. The virus is SARS-Co-V-2, and the disease the virus causes, coronavirus disease 2019, is abbreviated as COVID-19.
The COVID-19 outbreak is a public health emergency and on March 11, 2020 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Misinformation, rumors and the rapidly changing nature of the outbreak are big problems, so APHA and the entire public health community are working overtime to ensure you have the facts.
What Can You Do?
What is APHA Doing?
We are urging the public health community to share science-based information with the public and are speaking out for outbreak response funding and support.