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Omicron is more contagious than other variants, but so far, it is proving to be less severe. Vaccination, including a booster shot, helps to protect people from serious illness, winding up in the hospital—and death."
If you get sick, you might not need to go to the hospital. But you need to know your symptoms and pay attention to your body. Many COVID-19 cases are mild enough you can recover at home.
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Questions from residents came in fast at our recent community engagement outreach event in Spanaway. Health Department experts Matt Brignall, ND and Ahmad Yassin, DO, MA, FS, Madigan resident, were on hand to answer the questions. They had to be on their toes.
The event was one of many around the county sparked by our community partnerships. Health Department employees answered questions, distributed test kits and shared information on basic needs resources, while the school district handed out essential items and holiday gifts to those in need.
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The data is clear: The Omicron variant is bringing more COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations to Pierce County.
You don’t need to panic. We don’t yet know how severe Omicron is compared to other variants. Some very early studies suggest it might be milder and we expect to learn more in the coming weeks.
But, this week’s data shows how important it is to continue to take care of yourself, your neighbors and your family.
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We monitor flu activity October through April every year. We post flu activity updates in our blog to help you stay in the know.
We are seeing an increase in respiratory illnesses, like flu, while COVID-19 is still circulating. Since the beginning of flu season in October, healthcare providers are testing more people for flu each week and more people are testing positive.
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Vaccine Update
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1,284,200 doses to Pierce County residents.
61% of all residents fully vaccinated
66% of eligible residents 5 and older fully vaccinated.
13,600 doses administered last week.
More vaccine data.
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 Drop-ins welcome!
It's easier than ever to get the COVID-19 vaccine. You can drop in at most vaccine events listed on our site. The vaccine is always free.
 tpchd.org/vaxtothefuture
- Contact our call center at (253) 649-1412. M-F, 8 a.m-4:30 p.m.
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Sign up for our Vaccine Help List.
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 Feel free to share our social graphics on your posts. Click on the image for a full resolution version. Or, you can download an Instagram size.
 Omicron is driving up cases of COVID-19 in Pierce County. The variant is highly contagious. We recommend you wear a well-fitted mask and increase ventilation whenever you are around others outside your home.
We continue to learn more about Omicron's severity. We're not seeing hospitalizations increase at the same rate as cases. This is good news. But because the number of new cases is so high, we are seeing rising hospital admissions. Our hospitals and ICUs are near full and our healthcare system is stressed. Hospitalized people are largely unvaccinated, and if vaccinated, tend to be older and have more underlying health conditions.
We have seen elsewhere that children under 5 tend to hospitalized at lower rates compared to Delta. However, pediatric hospitalizations are rising across the country as the number of cases is increasing and children under 5 aren’t yet eligible for vaccination.
Vaccinations, especially if boosted, are very effective. Please get vaccinated and your booster when you're eligible.  tpchd.org/vaxtothefuture
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Trouble getting vaccinated? We can help.
We know not everyone who wants the vaccine has been able to get it. That's why we launched our COVID-19 Vaccine Help List. Anyone who is eligible and wants help finding vaccine appointments can sign up. You can sign up online or contact our call center at (253) 649-1412 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The call center can also help if you or someone you know has trouble leaving home. Give them a call and we’ll bring the vaccine to you!
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Booster shots
Everyone 12 and older is now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. We have booster doses for everyone 12 and up at all our vaccine clinics except South Hill Mall. That clinic offers boosters for everyone 16 and older and will offer boosters for 12-15 year-olds soon.
CDC now recommends everyone 12 and up get a booster dose 5 months after your second Pfizer shot, 6 months after your second Moderna shot or 2 months after your first Johnson & Johnson shot.
12 to 17-year-olds can only get a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine.
Appointments are encouraged, but not required. Find your dose today at tpchd.org/vaxtothefuture. You can also contact your healthcare provider or local pharmacy to find your vaccine.
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COVID-19 Resources
More information on:
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