COVID Vaccines, Booster & Testing

COVID-19 VACCINES

Outer Cape Health Services continues to offer Covid-19 vaccination for individuals six months of age and higher, including applicable booster shots.

We also now offer the new Bivalent Covid Vaccine Booster at all of our health centers. Updated (bivalent) vaccines and boosters are now available for children and adults.

Click here for current COVID vaccination and booster eligibility guidelines from the CDC.

To request/schedule a vaccination or booster at one of our three health centers, please visit one of our sites or call 508-905-2888.

To locate other Covid vaccination locations in Massachusetts, visit https://vaxfinder.mass.gov

For general questions and information on COVID-19 vaccinations, please visit the Mass. Dept. of Public Health and/or CDC websites.

COVID-19 Testing: Asymptomatic and Symptomatic with Outer Cape Health Services:

Outer Cape Health Services provides both Asymptomatic and Symptomatic testing services for COVID-19.

At-home self-test kits are now free to OCHS patients at regularly scheduled appointments.  Each of these Quidel QuickVue® rapid antigen kits contain two tests. These tests can be used if a person is symptomatic, asymptomatic, or within 6 days of symptom onset.  Click here for more information on at-home Covid testing instructions.

In addition, OCHS will continue to offer free, prescheduled rapid COVID testing in concert with the Massachusetts Department of Health (DPH) at each of our three health centers for the foreseeable future.”

Testing sites and hours for prescheduled appointments are:

OCHS Harwich Port Health Center, 710 Rt. 28:

Mondays, 1:30pm-2:00pm; Wednesdays and Fridays, 2:30pm-3:00pm

OCHS Wellfleet Health Center, 3130 State Highway Route 6:
Wednesdays, 10am-11am

OCHS Provincetown Health Center, 49 Harry Kemp Way:
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 12:30pm-1:30pm

To receive a Covid test at Outer Cape Health Services, call 508-905-2888. 

Antigen tests are free via a Massachusetts Department of Public Health initiative providing OCHS with rapid tests for COVID-19.  Tests may be billed to individuals with insurance but not charged a co-pay; however, no one will be turned away. Insurances will be charged for the costs of administering your vaccination but not the actual vaccine which is free.

For individuals seeking a PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) molecular test, fees will apply for this test type. These tests samples will be processed by Quest Diagnostic Laboratories and billed directly to the patient.

At this time, due to delays in receiving test results, OCHS is not offering PCR tests for travel and pre-op purposes. For timelier results, we suggest scheduling directly with Quest Diagnostics, or Cape Cod Hospital, or the hospital you will be receiving surgery.

Outer Cape Health Services continues to provide symptomatic Covid tests at all three sites. If an individual is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or has been referred to testing related to contact tracing, the individual should call OCHS first for a telehealth screening visit.

The procedure and protocol for SYMPTOMATIC COVID-19 testing at Outer Cape Health Services are as follows:

1. If an individual believes that they meet the criteria for testing, please call Outer Cape Health Services first at 508-905-2888. Please DO NOT come into any of our health centers. If an individual is asymptomatic but is requesting testing related to contact tracing purposes, we will assist per state guidelines.
2. Individuals requesting testing will first be screened for symptoms. This may first require a telehealth screening. Symptoms for COVID-19 can include fever, chills, shaking chills, coughing, and signs of a lower respiratory illness, as well as fatigue, sore throat, headache, body aches, or new loss of a sense of taste or smell. Risk factors for contraction of the coronavirus include close contact with a person known to have COVID-19.
3. If we confirm that testing is required, we will schedule a rapid antigen drive-through test at one of our health centers.  

What should I do if I feel symptoms?

If you have any of the following symptoms, you may have Covid-19::

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea, vomiting
or Diarrhea

• Please call us first, and we will ask you a few questions including whether you have had close contact with anyone suspected or confirmed of contracting the novel coronavirus/COVID-19.
• We will help you get the care and assistance you need based on the screening.
• For an immediate medical emergency, individuals should call 9-1-1.

To learn about free therapeutic treatments for COVID-19, including Paxlovid, available through the state of Massachusetts, click here.

Note: This state Paxlovid program is in addition to services offered to Outer Cape Health Services patients. The state Covid screening program is available every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese. Learn more at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/free-telehealth-for-covid-19-treatment-with-paxlovid

Where can I find more information about COVID-19?

For up-to-date information and resources on the Coronavirus, we recommend the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Massachusetts Department of Public Health websites.

How do I keep myself and others from getting sick?

As always, each of us can take steps to reduce the spread of germs including:

1. Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
2. Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash.
3. Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
4. Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
5. Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
6. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.