Respiratory Virus Vaccines Are Here – Call Your Pharmacy to Schedule!
Fall marks the start of respiratory virus season, when flu, COVID-19, and RSV create a triple threat. The good news? There are vaccines to protect against serious illness from all three viruses. And you can safely get all of the vaccines at the same time.
Talk with your residents, families, and caregivers about fall and winter vaccinations. Call your pharmacy to schedule vaccinations as soon as possible.
Who’s eligible?
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Updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines: Everyone ages 6-months and older should get updated vaccines, even if you got vaccinated before. Three flu vaccines are recommended for people ages 65 and older.
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RSV vaccine: Everyone 75 years and older should receive one RSV vaccine dose. Adults ages 60-74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV should also receive one RSV vaccine dose. People at increased risk include those who have a chronic heart or lung disease, a weakened immune system, or certain medical conditions including severe obesity and severe diabetes.
Why get vaccinated?
Updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines, and the one-dose RSV vaccine, protect against viruses that are expected to circulate this season. Layer up on vaccines this season to protect your residents and staff from serious illness.
How do I get my residents vaccinated?
Most AFH / long-term care pharmacies are offering onsite vaccinations this fall. Call your pharmacy to schedule a visit.
What if I am having difficulty scheduling vaccinations with my pharmacy?
Call King County’s In-Home COVID-19 Vaccination Program. We can answer vaccine questions and help problem solve challenges scheduling with your pharmacy.
- Phone: 206-848-0243
- Email: vaccineinfo@kingcounty.gov
Learn more about answers to common questions: Fall and winter vaccines: Q&A with Dr. Eric Chow – PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER
Vaccine Resources for Insured & Uninsured Staff & Family Members
Keep everyone healthy this fall and winter by encouraging caregivers to stay up to date with vaccinations. Please share the resources below to help staff and their families find COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines.
Where to get vaccinated:
- Healthcare providers, including Community Health Centers (CHCs)
- Pharmacies
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School Based Health Centers (for school-aged children in some school districts, all services are free)
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Find a CVP provider near you: In Washington state, all children ages 0 to 18 can receive all routinely recommended vaccines at no cost from a healthcare provider that participates in the Childhood Vaccine Program (CVP). You may be charged an administration fee (a charge for delivering the vaccine), but you don’t have to pay if you can’t afford it.
What if my staff are uninsured?
If you are uninsured, there are limited quantities of no-cost COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccine available through Washington State’s Adult Vaccine Program (AVP). AVP COVID-19 vaccine is also available if your insurance doesn’t fully cover the cost of vaccination. No-cost vaccines are also available at mobile clinics throughout King County.
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AVP Program: Ask your pharmacy or healthcare provider if they participate in AVP. The Department of Health maintains a map of AVP providers (select “Adult Provider” and “Adult and Child Provider” in the menu at the top left corner of the map). Call in advance to confirm vaccine availability. Some providers may require that you register as a patient and make an appointment.
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Mobile clinics: For a list of no-cost vaccine clinics and to see if your family is eligible, visit the Where to Get Vaccinated in King County webpage and look under “Find a Vaccine Clinic”. The page is regularly updated as new clinics are added. Check in advance for specific vaccine availability, cost, and to make an appointment. For more information: gov/findaclinic
Need help enrolling in health insurance or finding a healthcare provider?
Contact the Community Health Access Program at chap@kingcounty.gov or call 1-800-756-5437.
Free COVID-19 Tests Available
Households are eligible to order 4 free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. COVID-19 tests detect current COVID-19 variants. Many COVID-19 tests can be used after the expiration date printed on the box. To find out if your test has an extended expiration date, check the list of extended expiration dates.
Please share this information with staff and family members.
Vaccine Tracker Tool for AFH Residents
Our partners at Comagine Health developed an easy-to-use worksheet to track the immunization status of your residents. The worksheet tracks dates of COVID-19, flu, pneumococcal, and RSV vaccines, as well as TB testing. Print out this 1-page worksheet and add it to your clipboard or save an electronic file on your computer. The tool is available in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel and free to download.
Continued Support for Respiratory Illness Outbreaks
Has your AFH experienced recent cases of COVID-19, flu, or RSV? Public Health – Seattle & King County is here to help!
Please complete the HIPPA-compliant Respiratory Illness Survey or call 206-296-4774 and we will connect you to resources. Follow the reporting criteria for healthcare facilities.
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