COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To ensure our nation's underserved communities and those disproportionately affected by COVID-19 are equitably vaccinated against COVID-19, HRSA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program on February 9, 2021, to directly allocate a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine to select HRSA health centers.

(Added: 2/19/2021)

Twenty-five health centers are eligible to receive vaccine in the first week of program implementation. By the week of March 1, HRSA expects at least 250 participating health centers, spanning every jurisdiction and serving about 13 million patients, to be eligible to receive vaccines. As national vaccine supply increases, all HRSA-funded health centers and Health Center Program look-alikes will have the option to access vaccines through the program.

(Added: 2/19/2021)

In the first phase of the program, 250 HRSA-funded health centers were invited to participate. The health centers invited for this initial phase specialize in caring for populations that are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, including people experiencing homelessness, agricultural workers, residents of public housing, and those with limited English proficiency. As national vaccine supply increases, all HRSA-funded health centers and Health Center Program look-alikes will have the option to access vaccines through the program.

(Added: 2/19/2021)

The health centers invited for participation in the initial phase of the program serve a significant number of people experiencing homelessness, migrant/seasonal agricultural workers, residents of public housing, and those with limited English proficiency, serve patients age 65 and older, and include at least one health center in each state or territory. HRSA used annual performance data to assess health centers against the above criteria.

(Added: 2/19/2021)

HRSA and CDC launched this program to allocate a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine directly to select HRSA-supported health centers. The initial phase of the program includes 250 health centers nationwide. Health Center Program look-alikes will be eligible along with all HRSA-funded health centers to participate in the program as it expands beyond the initial phase.

(Added: 2/19/2021)

HRSA and the CDC will work with state and jurisdictional public health officials, Primary Care Associations, and health centers to assess health center readiness and capacity to participate in the program.

To participate in the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program, health centers must agree to a Conditions for Participation agreement, which includes:

1. Enrollment in and compliance with the CDC's U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program;
2. Accurate completion and approval of the HRSA Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program Readiness Assessment;
3. Data reporting (i.e., required vaccine supply and administration data reported to the Health Center COVID-19 Weekly Survey and Addendum with additional questions); and
4. Other requirements (i.e., follow priority guidelines determined by the health center site's state/jurisdiction in administering COVID-19 vaccines; administer COVID-19 vaccines provided through the program to established health center patients and other individuals who present for such services (i.e., new patients) as capacity permits; and ensure timely administration of all COVID-19 vaccine doses received through the program).

(Added: 2/19/2021)

Health centers must follow the priority guidelines determined by the health center site's state/jurisdiction in administering COVID-19 vaccines.

(Added: 2/19/2021)

Yes, timely completion of the HRSA Health Center COVID-19 Weekly Survey and the Addendum to the survey is mandatory for health centers participating in the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program.

(Added: 2/19/2021)

The Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program is a separate, direct allotment for health centers. The program will supplement — not supplant — existing vaccine distributions that health centers are receiving from states.

(Added: 2/19/2021)

HRSA anticipates that approximately 1 million doses will be allocated for the program's initial phase, with potential increases in allocations to follow as the program expands to reach all HRSA-funded health centers and Health Center Program look-alikes.

(Added: 2/19/2021)

Patients can contact their local health center to find out about availability of COVID-19 vaccine appointments, which may be available irrespective of participation in the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program. To find your local health center, please use HRSA's Find a Health Center tool.

(Added: 2/19/2021)

HRSA and the CDC anticipate vaccines becoming available at the first 25 health centers starting the week of February 22.

(Added: 2/19/2021)