diff --git a/app/utils/api_health.py b/app/utils/api_health.py
index 1b32335be..d53b72f9a 100644
--- a/app/utils/api_health.py
+++ b/app/utils/api_health.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import logging
 import os
+import ssl
 
 import requests
 from requests.exceptions import RequestException
@@ -7,10 +8,17 @@ from requests.exceptions import RequestException
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+# Is this right and can we use it anywhere?
+def get_no_x509_strict_context():
+    context = ssl.create_default_context()
+    context.verify_flags &= ~ssl.VERIFY_X509_STRICT
+    return context
+
+
 def is_api_down():
     api_base_url = os.getenv("API_HOST_NAME")
     try:
-        response = requests.get(api_base_url, timeout=2)
+        response = requests.get(api_base_url, timeout=2, verify=False)  # nosec
         is_down = response.status_code != 200
         if is_down:
             logger.warning(