In-Home COVID-19 Vaccine Support for your AFH
The In-Home Vaccination Program is offering mobile, and RSV vaccines this spring for AFHs that can’t schedule a visit with their pharmacy. Help keep your community healthy by scheduling recommended vaccinations for your residents and spreading the word about vaccine resources for your caregivers and family members.
- Have your residents received a COVID-19 vaccine since September 2024?
- Has it been 6 months since your residents 65 and older received a COVID-19 vaccine?
If you answered “No” to either of these questions, please call 206-848-0243 or email vaccineinfo@kingcounty.gov for support.
COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations: 2nd Dose for Ages 65 and Older
Updated COVID-19 vaccines became available in September 2024. The vaccinations were updated to better protect against the strains of COVID-19 that are currently circulating. This season’s vaccines provided 45% additional protection against hospitalizations.
- Everyone ages 6-months and older is recommended to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine, even if you got vaccinated in the past.
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Everyone ages 65 years and older is recommended to get 2 doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccine 6 months apart (minimum time is 2 months apart allowing flexibility to schedule prior to COVID-19 surges, travel, life events, and healthcare visits).
Flu Vaccine Recommendations
Since the fall, we have seen rapidly increasing flu activity locally and at higher rates than most recent flu seasons. The CDC has classified this flu season as “high severity” for all age groups.
RSV Vaccine Recommendations
Clinical trial data for the RSV vaccines indicate protection against symptomatic RSV illness for approximately 18-23 months after vaccination.
- Everyone ages 75 and older is recommended to receive a one-time dose of RSV vaccine.
- Everyone ages 60-74 is recommended to receive a one-time dose of RSV vaccine if they are at increased risk of severe RSV. This includes certain health conditions.
Resources:
About Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) | CDC
RSV Vaccine Guidance for Older Adults | RSV | CDC
Age for Pneumococcal Vaccine Lowered to 50
In January, the CDC lowered the recommended age for pneumococcal vaccination from 65 to 50 years old. Everyone ages 50 and older should receive a pneumococcal vaccination if they haven’t already . Please share this information with caregivers, residents, and families. Encourage anyone eligible for a pneumococcal vaccine to get it at a primary care appointment or from their pharmacy.
Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommendations | Pneumococcal | CDC
What to Know About Measles
A case of measles was confirmed in late February in King County. Measles is a serious disease that causes rash, fever, and severe health problems. Measles is very contagious. The virus can survive in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a location. Fortunately, most people in our area have immunity to measles.
Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides about 97% protection against getting infected by measles, and that protection lasts a lifetime. Anyone with a birthday before 1957 is considered immune as they probably already had measles.
Who needs the measles vaccine (MMR)?
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Children need 2 doses of MMR vaccine. First dose: 12-15 months of age. Second dose: 4-6 years of age, or at least 28 days after the first dose.
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Adults: If you were born in 1957 or later and do not have evidence of immunity against measles, you should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine. Some adults need two doses, separated by at least 28 days:
- Students in programs after high school
- Healthcare workers
- International travelers 6 months of age and older. Find more information about measles and international travel.
- People with HIV infection
- Household contacts of immunocompromised people
- Adults who got an inactivated vaccine between 1963 and 1967
- During an outbreak, some other people may be advised to get a second dose.
Resources:
Measles - King County, Washington
About the measles vaccine - King County, Washington
Where to Get Vaccinated in King County
No-Cost Vaccinations for Children & Adults Who are Uninsured
Consider emailing the link “Where to Get Vaccinated in King County” to your staff and families. The page is updated regularly and includes vaccine options for insured and uninsured residents of all ages.
Respiratory Illness Outbreak Reporting & Support for AFHs
Has your facility experienced recent cases of COVID-19, flu, or RSV? Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) 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.
LTCFs must report positive cases of COVID-19 to PHSKC within 24 hours, according to the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
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