Philly Health Department offering free at-home COVID tests at vaccine clinic Saturday

Residents can collect two free rapid COVID-19 test kits per person at Saturday morning’s vaccine clinic at Community Academy of Philadelphia.

Nick Kariuki

December 17, 2021

A BinaxNOW rapid COVID-19 test made by Abbott Laboratories rests on a table on Feb. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Ask us about COVID-19: What questions do you have about the coronavirus and vaccines?

At-home, rapid testing kits for COVID-19 have been hard to come by in Philadelphia and across the country. The Department of Public Health will try to make a dent in that demand with a free test giveaway at a Saturday morning vaccine clinic at Community Academy of Philadelphia, in the city’s Harrowgate neighborhood.

Those who attend the clinic at 1100 E. Erie Ave. from 11 a.m. to noon will be able to collect two free testing kits per person.

WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

The event is the first in a series of Health Department clinics that will pair the opportunity for people to get their initial vaccine doses or booster shots with the chance to stock up on at-home tests.

Both measures could help to stem the tide of the latest COVID surge, which led Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole earlier this week to advise against holiday gatherings of multiple households.

Parking will be available on site.

WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.