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The Distribution Plan for Respiratory Immunization Products can now be found on the Respiratory Season Resources section of the Childhood Vaccine Program webpage.
The plan outlines what CVP providers can expect for the distribution of publicly supplied respiratory immunization products this season, including process improvements being implemented based on feedback and lessons learned last respiratory season.
We encourage you to review the plan and other resources available on the Respiratory Season Resources page to prepare for the upcoming respiratory season. The FAQ includes answers to many common questions and will be updated as the season progresses.
The Washington State Department of Health is hosting a respiratory season vaccine updates webinar in September. The webinar will cover:
- Respiratory season clinical overview and vaccine recommendations.
- Respiratory season vaccine allocation and the ordering process.
- Strategies to improve clinic workflow for respiratory season vaccines.
Date: September 17, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. PDT
Webinar Registration - TRAIN.org
Continuing education (CE) credits are available for nurses, medical assistants, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and naturopathic physicians. The webinar will be recorded and CEs will be available for watching the recording.
- Allow at least 3 days for order approval from time of submission for accountability checks
- Orders need to in "Pending State Approval" status in the IIS by close of business the weekday before the processing day
- If there is not enough vaccine in allocation, orders will be reduced based on the Vaccine Allocation and Equity Plan
Influenza Vaccine
- Ordering timeline is dependent on FDA approval and receipt of doses from manufacturers
- Based on recent seasons, ordering is expected to open between late August and Labor Day
COVID-19 Vaccine
- Ordering timeline is dependent on FDA approval and receipt of doses from manufacturers
- Based on previous seasons, ordering is expected to open in late September to early October
Additional updates will be shared through the Vaccine Blurbs as information becomes available.
Providers should continue to follow the current Department of Health (DOH) vaccination recommendations for children. This schedule reflects the current evidence-based standard of care for pediatric immunization. Read the full statement from the West Coast Health Alliance regarding childhood vaccines here.
CVP providers must maintain an inventory of the vaccines recommended for the patient population served. Providers that do not serve infant populations do not need to have RSV products in their inventory.
Respiratory season vaccine distribution works differently than distribution of routine childhood vaccines. Limited availability at the beginning of respiratory season is expected every year and is a normal part of the vaccine supply process.
It is not possible to manufacture and ship hundreds of millions of vaccine doses at one time. Instead, vaccine is distributed in phases throughout the season.
As individual lots receive FDA approval, manufacturers begin shipping product to CDC's McKesson distribution facilities. From there, CDC and DOH use an allocation process to distribute available vaccine equitably among providers.
Because vaccine becomes available in phases, there are limited doses available at the start of every respiratory season. Allocation timing and quantities may vary by product and throughout the season as additional supply becomes available. Supply typically improves over time. Early-season limitations do not necessarily indicate a shortage for the entire season.
Understanding this distribution process can help you plan clinics, set appropriate expectations, and understand DOH limitations.
If your facility experienced vaccine loss as a result of the wildfires in the Spokane area, please document the event in the “Corrective Action” section of the August Vaccine Loss Survey.
The Childhood Vaccine Program team at the Department of Health is currently operating with reduced staffing and appreciates your patience as we work through your questions and requests. Please allow us 72 hours to respond to non-urgent inquiries. We appreciate your patience, cooperation, and understanding as our team works to support providers as efficiently as possible.
We also want to remind providers that respectful communication is expected in all interactions with Department of Health (DOH) staff. Threatening or inappropriate language directed toward DOH staff is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
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