King County Expands COVID Vaccine Sites To Meet Booster Demand

SEATTLE — King County and Seattle are renewing large-scale vaccination efforts to help reach more residents who recently became eligible for COVID-19 booster shots, officials announced Monday. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration recommended boosters for certain populations that previously received the Pfizer vaccine. Guidance for people who received Moderna or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson is still pending.

"The COVID-19 vaccine continues to be the best way to reduce your risk for COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death — including from the Delta variant," said Dr. Jeff Duchin, health officer for King County. "Based on the latest federal guidance, boosters are now recommended for certain groups of people who received the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago, to provide extra protection for those at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 or who are in high-risk settings. In coming weeks, we respect an evaluation of the need for a booster in those who received other vaccines."

Related: COVID Vaccine Boosters: Washington Okays 3rd Pfizer Shot

The Washington State Department of Health updated its third dose guidance on Friday, authorizing them for eligible groups that received their second Pfizer shot at least six months ago, including patients who are:

• 65 years or older.
• Residents in long-term care facilities.
• 50-64 years old who are at high risk because of underlying medical conditions.
• 18-49 years old who are at high risk because of underlying medical conditions.
• 18-64 years old in occupational or institutional settings that put them at high risk for COVID-19 (healthcare, schools, child care, homeless shelter, correctional facility).

According to the county, its network began providing boosters on Saturday. To meet the anticipated growth in demand, King County partnered with Seattle and its health care partners to reopen or expand 17 vaccination sites, including those in:

• Auburn
• Kent (two locations)
• Federal Way
• Renton (three locations)
• Seattle
  • Montlake
  • Harborview
  • Downtown Seattle
  • Northwest Hospital
• Shoreline
• Redmond
• Bellevue
• Eastgate
• Snoqualmie

"Our King County vaccination sites are ready with free, safe, effective vaccines for all eligible residents," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. "From first and second doses, to booster shots for those who qualify, our team from Public Health and community partners across King County are here to help keep you and your family safe from this dangerous virus."

On top of the partnership sites, residents will be able to find booster shots at community health centers, primary care clinics and local pharmacies. In October, the city of Seattle plans to open three additional sites in West Seattle, South Seattle and Central Seattle. The city will also redeploy its mobile vaccination teams to deliver boosters directly to older adults who need assistance.

"Seattle has led the way by listening to our public health officials and speaking as one government - it’s why we have the lowest cases, hospitalizations and deaths of every major city, and one of the highest vaccination rates," said Mayor Jenny Durkan. "Vaccines save lives, so we’re ready to ramp up our efforts again to equitably vaccinate the most vulnerable, older adults, and our kids."

Details on where to find a booster shot, and how to book an in-home vaccination appointment, are available on the county's vaccination website.