For the Network

  1. Home
  2. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

coronavirus-19

Need help getting vaccinated?  Or details on boosters?

Trained staff are standing by to help you find vaccine locations, make appointments, and connect to  local services and supports if you need them to access vaccines. They also can connect you to information to answer questions or concerns you may have about the vaccine. 

  • For people with disabilities: The Disability Information and Assistance Line (DIAL) can be reached by calling 888-677-1199 or by emailing DIAL@usaginganddisability.org at any time.

  • For older adults:  Call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 or visit the website to chat live or browse resources. 

Both phone lines are staffed Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern). Use this new infographic to help spread the word about DIAL. 

Find the latest vaccine-related information, guidance, and resources from ACL and our partners.

What's New (November 23 - December 7)

Here are the latest additions to this page. Sign up for ACL Updates to receive these and other updates via e-mail.

  • CDC offers updated information on COVID-19 self-tests (also referred to as home tests or over-the-counter tests). Self-tests may be used if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed or potentially exposed to an individual with COVID-19. Even if you don’t have symptoms and have not been exposed to an individual with COVID-19, using a self-test before gathering indoors with others can give you information about the risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. This is especially important before gathering with unvaccinated children, older individuals, those who are immunocompromised, or individuals at risk of severe disease. (Posted December 7)

  • The Biden-Harris Administration announced new actions intended to battle COVID-19 this winter aim to get Americans boosted for even greater protection against variants, increase access to in-home testing, keep schools and businesses open, and quickly respond to surges. Actions include launching a new public education campaign to encourage adults to get boosters, with a special focus on seniors; collaborating with AARP on an education campaign focused on getting seniors boosted; requiring Medicaid to pay health care providers to talk to families about getting their kids vaccinated; and providing health plan coverage of no-cost rapid, over-the-counter COVID-19 tests. (Posted December 6)

  • Resources for Integrated Care (RIC) invites you to attend a webinar Tuesday, December 14, 2021, 12:00 – 1:30 PM ET featuring speakers from health plans that serve people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. These speakers will share strategies related to engaging hard-to-reach members during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Posted December 6)

  • Update: as of November 29, the CDC now recommends that all adults get a booster shot. All adults are now eligible to get COVID-19 booster shots two months after receiving the Johnson & Johnson’s/Janssen vaccine or six months after completing their second Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna dose. Learn more from CDC, find a vaccine site near you, and read a statement from HHS Secretary Xavier Bacerra. (Posted November 24, updated November 29)

  • ACL's National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS) is hosting a webinar on December 13 at 2:30pm ET titled Build Back Better: Striving for a Post-Pandemic World That Is Person-Centered and Inclusive for All. The webinar will feature will feature a panel of people with disabilities, family members, direct support professionals, and advocates reflecting on the lessons they have learned during the pandemic. (Posted November 24)

  • The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund is hosting a webinar on December 8 at 9pm ET to help parents of children with disabilities between the ages of 5 and 11 make informed decisions about the COVID-19 vaccine. (Posted November 23)

More recent additions

  • A new issue brief from the National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training (AT3) Center describes how AT Act programs funded by ACL are helping individuals experiencing long-term effects from COVID-19 and provides examples of common assistive technology solutions. (Posted November 17)

  • ACL has updated its frequently asked questions on American Rescue Plan Act funding for Adult Protective Services programs. (Posted November 17)

  • HHS' "We Can Do This" COVID-19 public education campaign has produced a series of English and Spanish resources to equip parents, school administrators, community leaders and children with the latest information, tips, and messaging on the newly authorized vaccine for children age 5 and older. Resources include various toolkits, infographics, videos, and one-pagers that provide answers to frequently asked questions using the latest data. The website also includes tips on how to talk to parents and guardians about vaccinating their children, and explain why vaccination is the best way to protect children against COVID-19. (Posted November 16)

  • The Biden-Harris Administration has announced that ACL will receive $150 million to increase the public health workforce’s disability and aging expertise and strengthen the collaboration with public health systems to support the health and safety of people with disabilities and older adults who are disproportionately affected during emergencies and disasters, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. (Posted November 10)

  • The U.S. Surgeon General’s Community Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation provides specific guidance to individuals, health care professionals and administrators, teachers, school administrators, librarians, and faith leaders to understand, identify, and stop the spread of health misinformation in their communities. (Posted November 9)

Resources for people with COVID-related disabilities

On July 26, the White House published this comprehensive package of resources for people with disabilities, including people with COVID-related disabilities. We've created a page for these and other resources for people with COVID-related disabilities -- we'll add to it as more resources are available.
 

For Older Adults, People with Disabilities, Families, and Caregivers

  • Vaccine info
  • Staying safe
  • Your rights

Click here to learn more

Find resources on "Long COVID"

For the Aging and Disability Networks

  • ACL Program Guidance
  • Promising Practices: Innovative approaches that may work in your community
  • Guidance from other federal programs
Find more resources here
Find a listing of upcoming and archived webinars

Ensuring Equity and Inclusion

Resources for

  • State and local COVID-19 response planners
  • Healthcare professionals
  • Educators
  • Businesses
  • others who need to understand the needs and issues of older adults and people with disabilities

Click here to find more helpful tips


National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness

The National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness provides detailed information about the seven goals of Biden Administration's coordinated pandemic response. The 198-page strategy document begins with an overview of the goals, followed by details on a variety of topics, many of which intersect the core missions of the aging and disability networks. Among the topics covered are home and community based services, vaccination communication, impact on at-risk groups, equitable access to PPE, and community-based, multi-sector efforts to align health and social interventions. The strategy reflects the White House's priorities for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Follow your state's guidance

Decisions about community measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as vaccine prioritization and distribution, will be made by local and state officials, The links in this section will connect you to some state resources.

Links to state resources

Last modified on 12/08/2021


Back to Top