Washington Approves COVID-19 Boosters For Everyone 16 And Older

OLYMPIA, WA — COVID-19 boosters are now available to all Washingtonians 16 years old and older. Previously, boosters had only been approved for patients 18 and older.

The only vaccine approved for use in patients under 18 is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, meaning that patients 16 and 17 years old can only take the Pfizer booster. Boosters for patients 18 and older can be mixed freely. To be eligible, a patient only needs to have waited six months after receiving the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or two months after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Washington State Department of Health leaders say the change follows new guidance and recommendations from the FDA and CDC— and will hopefully protect more Washingtonians as the state braces for the spread of the omicron variant.

“Ensuring booster doses are available to as many people as possible will add an extra layer of protection across our communities this winter, help keep families healthy as we gather this holiday season, and increase immunity as the omicron variant spreads worldwide,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Umair A. Shah. “Please do not delay, make an appointment to get your booster shot as soon as you are eligible.”

A lot about the omicron variant remains unknown, but CDC data suggests that boosters still help protect against omicron and other COVID-19 variants.

Related: Boosters 'Absolutely Essential' As Omicron Gains Ground: WA DOH

“The recent emergence of omicron is another reminder of the importance of vaccinations and boosters, especially for children and adults with chronic conditions that place them at higher risk for severe illness due to COVID-19,” said Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, Washington's Chief Science Officer. “We know vaccines are safe and effective at protecting us from hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. Getting a booster is the best way to increase immunity that tends to wane over time.”

The Washington State Department of Health confirmed its first three omicron cases over the weekend, identified in King, Pierce and Thurston counties. King County's case has been revealed to be mild, but state and local health leaders expect more cases will be revealed in the coming days and weeks. Before that happens, they're hoping to get as many Washingtonians protected as possible via booster shots.

"Being fully vaccinated is not enough against this evolving virus," said Dr. Shah. "It is absolutely essential that every eligible adult receive a COVID-19 booster as soon as possible. Boosters are necessary and provide an extra layer of protection before seeing friends and family this holiday season."

More than 1,282,000 Washingtonian residents have received an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. As of December 6, the state says 81.2 percent of the population 12 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 74.9 percent are fully vaccinated.