Planning to get your flu shot or a COVID-19 booster, but aren’t sure where to get vaccinated? There are many online resources to guide you. But a widely used, free federal search tool to help people find the nearest location offering vaccines isn’t working, just ahead of respiratory virus season.
Vaccines.gov, a website operated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department Health and Human Services, helps Americans locate and schedule nearby vaccines.
Simply enter your zip code, and vaccines.gov provides a list of the closest pharmacies and providers offering certain vaccinations, as well as their contact information.
The problem? The search tool doesn’t function.
The website still prompts visitors to enter a 5-digit zip code to find a nearby pharmacy. However, when you enter a zip code and press “search,” the tool displays an error message: “Please enter a valid 5‑digit ZIP Code.”
Over the course of several days, TODAY.com reporters and editors entered multiple zip codes in multiple states, all of which prompted the same error message.
As of Sept. 30, 2026, the tool remains down.
A banner on the top of the site reads: “The functionality of this website may be impacted while it is being updated.”
A spokesperson for HHS would not confirm how long the site had been down or when it would be fixed.
Forbes.com initially reported that the site’s zip code search tool did not work on Dec. 4, 2025. However, posts on social media platform X and Reddit suggest the tool has been down for longer.
According to Wayback Machine, an internet archive which allows users to view past versions of websites, vaccines.gov underwent significant changes last June.
A previous version of vaccines.gov from June 24, 2025, obtained by TODAY.com from Wayback Machine contains an FAQ section with information about how to schedule a vaccine appointment, check if a vaccine is in stock and confirm insurance coverage.
The earlier version of vaccines.gov also provided resources about who should get vaccinated and how to protect yourself against common respiratory illnesses.
These sections no longer appear on the website.
Previously, vaccines.gov was available in both English and Spanish, but is now only available in English.
Vaccines.gov was launched in 2021 to help make it easier for Americans to access vaccines in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, NBC News previously reported. The site was powered by VaccineFinder.org, a free service to search for vaccine locations, operated by Boston Children’s Hospital. This site is still functioning.
It’s unclear when vaccines.gov will work again. Fortunately, Americans have other options to find out where to get vaccinated.
Alternative Tools to Find Vaccines
In the U.S., respiratory viruses like influenza, COVID and respiratory syncytial virus peak in the fall and winter months.
Vaccines are the most effective way to protect against severe disease, hospitalization and death from these common viruses. The CDC recommends getting the flu shot between September and October.
The 2026-2027 flu shots, updated COVID-19 boosters and RSV vaccines are currently available and being rolled out at pharmacies, doctors’ offices, hospitals and clinics nationwide.
If you’re unsure which type of vaccine is right for you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
There are several resources available to help you find out where to get vaccinated near you:
- Local and state health departments
- National pharmacy chains, such as CVS and Walgreens
- Local pharmacies
- Federally funded health centers
Most routine vaccinations are covered by insurance, but always check with your insurer to confirm your plan’s coverage.