COVID-19 vaccine
April 28, 2023: An updated (bivalent) vaccine is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older.
The updated (bivalent) vaccines target Omicron variants that continue to circulate in our communities. The vaccine also targets the original strain of the COVID virus. People who stay up to date with all recommended vaccine doses have the best protection against severe COVID-19.
CDC COVID-19 vaccine recommendations as of April 19, 2023:
Everyone aged 6 years and older should get 1 updated Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to be considered up to date.
Some people may get additional COVID-19 boosters:
- People aged 65 years and older may get 1 additional updated COVID-19 booster dose 4 or more months after the 1st updated COVID-19 vaccine.
- People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get 1 additional updated COVID-19 booster dose 2 or more months after the 1st updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Children aged 6 months to 5 years may need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccine to be up to date, including at least 1 updated dose of Pfizer or Moderna. It depends on the number of doses they’ve previously received and their age.
Please check with your healthcare provider if you have questions about how many doses you need.
Visit Getting vaccinated in King County for vaccine locations and appointments.
Everyone age 6 months and older is currently eligible for COVID-19 vaccination and booster shots.
Learn more about eligibility and getting vaccinated in King County.
Compare vaccine types: Snapshot of the COVID-19 Vaccines (WA Dept. of Health, PDF). View this document in other languages:
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Current guidance on who can get a booster dose, when to get it, and which type to get:
- COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses Reference Guide for All Ages, WA State Dept. of Health
- Infographic about boosters if you are immuno-compromised, WA State Dept. of Health
CDC recommends that anyone ages 5 and older who have moderately or severely weakened immune systems (immunocompromised) get a third dose of vaccine. The third shot is part of their initial vaccine series, not a booster.
Immune compromised children and adults should also get booster doses when eligible.
Visit Getting vaccinated in King County for vaccine locations and appointments.
The federal government purchased a large supply of COVID-19 vaccines that is predicted to last through the summer of 2023. COVID-19 vaccines will remain free to all people, even if they don’t have insurance, while the national vaccine supply lasts.
After the federal vaccine supply runs out:
- COVID-19 vaccinations will continue to be free for children in Washington
- COVID-19 vaccinations for adults will be covered by most private insurance, Medicare (“Apple Health”), and Medicaid/CHIP
- People who are uninsured will be able to get free COVID-19 vaccinations at certain local pharmacies and community health centers
Most forms of private health insurance must continue to pay for COVID-19 vaccines given by a health care provider in their network, without charging the patient. People with private health insurance may need to pay part of the cost if an out-of-network provider vaccinates them.
Community Health Centers and Public Health Centers have vaccinations for uninsured and underinsured people, if they enroll as patients.
Our aim in King County is to efficiently and equitably vaccinate as many eligible King County residents as possible in order to suppress the spread of COVID-19 and minimize the impact of the pandemic on our community.
More information about COVID-19 vaccine
- Data dashboard: Summary of COVID vaccination among King County residents
- COVID-19 Vaccine webpage, WA State Dept. of Health
- COVID-19 Vaccines website, CDC
In accordance with Federal civil rights law, Public Health – Seattle & King County does not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of an individual’s protected class, including but not limited to race, color, national origin, religion, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, and marital status. If you have a complaint and wish to file a grievance, or have a question about possible discrimination, please contact the King County Civil Rights Program at civil-rights.OCR@kingcounty.gov; 206-263-2446; TTY Relay 7-1-1; or 401 5th Ave, Suite 800, Seattle, WA 98104.
Link/share our site at kingcounty.gov/covid/vaccine