COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Booster doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are available to eligible Rhode Islanders as of Friday, September 24. This follows CDC’s recommendation to make booster doses of Pfizer vaccine available to certain people. For more information on eligibility, please see https://covid.ri.gov/boosterdoses. People who are eligible should get their booster doses at least six months after their second dose of Pfizer. We expect demand for Pfizer vaccine to be high through October given our very high vaccination rates. We encourage everyone to make an appointment to get vaccinated when possible. This will help Rhode Island be able to administer vaccines quickly and efficiently. You can find appointments at any of the options listed at C19VaccineRI.org. If you need help making an appointment, please call 844-930-1779 or 2-1-1.
Resources for Undocumented Immigrants Get healthcare: The following places provide access to healthcare regardless of immigration status. These places may ask about your status, but only to help determine your eligibility for coverage, and must keep this information confidential. Community Health Centers: Call 401-274-1771 or see the Rhode Island Health Center Association website to find a health center near you (for adults and children). Rhode Island Free Clinic (for adults only): Call for an eligibility appointment: 401-274-6374. Clinica Esperanza-Hope Clinic (for adults only): For patients who might have COVID-19, call 401-408-0238. For general questions, call 401-347-9093. Get tested: There are ways for patients for people without health insurance to get tested for COVID-19. Learn more about testing Hospital care: Seeking care: Anyone, regardless of immigration status, can seek healthcare at hospitals, emergency departments, and health centers If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call first before showing up at the facility. Charity Care: If you need care at a hospital, ask about the hospital ‘charity care’ program and request an application. The hospital may cover all or part of your bill if you are unable to pay. Charity care is available regardless of immigration status. Emergency Medicaid: If you are in need to of emergency services at a hospital (in-patient or emergency room), but are ineligible for Medicaid solely because of your immigration status, you may nevertheless be eligible to have Medicaid pay the hospital bills. The hospital will help you apply. Health insurance: Medicaid coverage for undocumented pregnant women is available, regardless of immigration status, as long as income and state residency requirements are met. You can apply for Medicaid any time. Call 1-855-840-4774 or apply online at healthsourceri.com Access to interpreters: All Rhode Island healthcare providers who receive federal funds are required to provide interpretation services for their patients, at no cost to the patients, regardless of immigration status. You can download and print wallet cards to request interpreters for multiple languages here. Public Charge: USCIS has released a statement declaring that testing, treatment, and preventive care related to COVID-19 will not negatively affect any immigrant in a future public charge determination. As a reminder, WIC does not ask immigration status and is not included in public charge determinations. Vaccination: Get answers to common questions about immigrants' access to the COVID-19 vaccines Women’s Refugee Care vaccination clinic: Dinner | Playground More information: The Economic Progress Institute has posted information online for undocumented immigrants, and for DACA, TPS, and DED holders. The National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC-RIM) provides resources that support COVID-19 vaccine efforts among refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities.
