COVID Boosters, Flu Shots Recommended For Fall & Winter In WA

WASHINGTON — Public health officials are urging Washingtonians to seek out COVID-19 boosters and flu shots this fall to help tamp down on illness, especially as seasonal respiratory viruses spread more readily in the colder months.

While nearly 60 percent of eligible residents have received at least one booster dose, only 10 percent have sought out the updated bivalent shot designed to more effectively guard against omicron variants, according to state Department of Health data.

The DOH on Thursday announced booster eligibility would soon extend to all residents 5 and older, following new guidance from the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"This is another step forward to a healthier tomorrow for everyone in Washington state," said Dr. Umair Shah, state Secretary of Health. "The more people who are eligible for COVID-19 boosters, the better protection we can provide to our communities.

The latest booster expansion comes as King County's health officer warns that the region could be in a "lull before the storm," pointing to viral trends elsewhere in the globe that suggest another fall and winter surge could be headed for the U.S., The Seattle Times reported.

With more people back at work, in school and participating in regular activities than earlier in the pandemic, health officials are concerned that flu activity could also make a rebound with fewer people taking extra precautions.

"Flu can be unpredictable and sometimes severe," said Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, the state's chief science officer. "To protect your family's health, getting vaccinated against influenza with a flu shot or nasal spray vaccine should be part of the fall routine for everyone 6 months and older. It's also the perfect time to get up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters too."

Similar to other illnesses, influenza can present severe or life-threatening symptoms for young children and people who are pregnant or have underlying health conditions. The flu can be particularly dangerous for children under 5, and an estimated 80 percent of flu-related deaths in children are among patients who were not vaccinated, according to the DOH.

Influenza is highly contagious and can sometimes lead to hospitalization or death in otherwise healthy people, officials said. Getting a flu vaccine can reduce both the chance of illness and more serious symptoms. They can be also administered alongside COVID-19 vaccines.

Readers can learn more about flu season on the DOH website and find openings for COVID-19 booster appointments using the state's vaccine locator tool.

Here are the updated recommendations for booster shots:

• People ages 5 and older who have completed a primary vaccine can receive the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent booster at least two months after their most recent dose. These doses are scheduled to begin arriving in provider offices the week of October 17th.
• People ages 6 and older who have completed a primary vaccine series can receive the Moderna bivalent booster at least two months after their most recent dose. Providers who already have an inventory of Moderna can begin administering these doses immediately.
• Children ages 6 months to 4 years remain eligible for the primary, monovalent COVID-19 vaccine series from both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna and are not currently authorized for any COVID-19 booster doses.