COVID-19 Vaccines

For patients or parents seeking a COVID-19 vaccine, visit the state's Vaccine Locator, or call the COVID-19 Information Hotline at 800.525.0127, then press #.

Information for health care professionals below.

Find more WSMA public service announcements on vaccines and other COVID-19 subjects on our Vimeo page.

Now Available: New COVID-19 Patient Education Brochure

The WSMA offers a patient education brochure titled “Information About the COVID-19 Vaccine” available in English and Spanish to order for your waiting or exam rooms. The brochure is part of WSMA’s “Talk to Your Doctor” COVID-19 vaccine confidence campaign targeting rural communities and featuring WSMA member physicians. Learn more and order some for your office.

Instilling COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence

The WSMA has joined the Washington State Department of Health to help promote confidence in, and uptake of, life-saving COVID-19 vaccines. Our members are the key to our success in this endeavor. By leveraging the trust patients have in their physicians, you can help ensure Washingtonians are receiving guidance based on sound science and good medical practice—and help counter the increasing barrage of misinformation circulating on- and offline.

The following resources can help you and your practice or organization in this effort.

Please reach out to your patients about the COVID-19 vaccine

Many patients have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and its impact on their health. WSMA Immediate Past-President Nathan Schlicher, MD, JD, sent a message to all physicians and physicians assistants in Washington urging them to reach out to their patients directly to talk to them about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Download Dr. Schlicher's message, which includes a sample message you can send to your patients.

Remember: Many patients have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. Please make yourself available to talk to your patients about the vaccine, regardless of your specialty.

Join the Power of Providers initiative

Washington’s Power of Providers COVID-19 vaccine initiative encourages physicians from all specialties and health care providers throughout the state to proactively reach out and talk to their patients about COVID-19 vaccination. You can commit to the POP initiative by agreeing to SEEK, ASK, VACCINATE, and EMPOWER (SAVE) your patients around COVID-19 vaccine.

SEEK: Seek your patients’ COVID-19 vaccination status.
ASK/EDUCATE: If your patient isn't vaccinated, ask them about the vaccine and offer education if they’re unsure.
VACCINATE: If your patient agrees to vaccination, provide them with a COVID-19 vaccine or a referral to a location that provides COVID-19 vaccination.
EMPOWER: Empower your patients to share their vaccination status with the community.

If you agree to do these four things at your practice, please fill out the online commitment form. The Department of Health will send you your certificate as well as optional buttons or stickers. Learn more about the POP initiative.

COVID-19 conversation guides for physicians and health care providers

The DOH offers a new provider toolkit featuring educational materials and information, including conversation guides, designed to instill confidence in COVID-19 vaccines. Find the conversation guides under Educational Materials then Resources for Providers.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology offers a COVID-19 Vaccines and Pregnancy: Conversation Guide for Clinicians.

Key COVID-19 vaccine messages

The WSMA and the Washington State Department of Health are reinforcing these key COVID-19 vaccine messages:

Don’t hesitate, vaccinate.
All three COVID-19 vaccines are safe and very effective in protecting you and protecting others.
Talk to your doctor today about getting the shot.

“Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate!” public service announcement

The WSMA and the DOH have produced a 45-second PSA featuring WSMA President Nathan Schlicher, MD, JD, MBA, called “Don't hesitate, just vaccinate!.” Share freely with your networks.

Messages from the WSMA president

Your WSMA president has authored or co-authored editorials urging public confidence in all three life-saving COVID-19 vaccines.

Please don’t hesitate to vaccinate: A plea from three physicians — Seattle Times op-ed published April 26
Let’s lay vaccine hesitancy to rest in Washington state, Tacoma ER doctor says — Tacoma News Tribune op-ed published March 28

Countering hesitancy in patients and health care workers

WSMA members Bob Lutz, MD, from the Department of Health’s COVID-19 Response Team, and John H Vassall MD, physician executive for quality, safety & equity at Comagine Health, shared best practices for addressing Washingtonians' hesitancy and how to approach communities with significant health disparities in a recent webinar. View the archived webinar on the Department of Health website.

Professional Resources

Governor mandates COVID-19 vaccination for health care workers

The Washington State Department of Health has provided guidance to help health care employees and employers move into compliance with this directive (review the emergency proclamation). Make sure you’re familiar with this information by downloading the Department of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement FAQ for Health Providers, Workers, Settings, and Operators.

The WSMA is helping physicians and practices across Washington implement this new mandate, regardless of practice type. Working with the law firm Montgomery Purdue PLLC, the WSMA has prepared guidance, including sample clinic policy and exemption forms and an on-demand vaccine mandate webinar Q&A. Visit Implementing the COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate at Your Practice (sign-in required – to establish an account with the WSMA, click on ‘sign in’ at the top of the page) for more information on these resources.

Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA) Project

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a 3rd dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for those suffering from moderate to severe immunocompromising conditions. The CDC guidelines offer a list of the most common moderate to severe immunocompromising conditions, but also leave discretion to the patient and physician to ensure each case is reviewed based on individual needs. CDC’s Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA) Project can assist physicians in developing the best plan for their patients. If physicians have questions about specific cases in relation to whether or not they should receive the vaccine or if their patient is possibility experiencing side-effects to the vaccine, they can consult CISA for clinical consultation.

Enroll in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program

Practice, clinics, and other facilities interested in administering COVID-19 vaccine must enroll in the federal COVID-19 Vaccination Program. Visit the DOH website for details. For questions about the enrollment process or for technical assistance, please contact COVID.vaccine@doh.wa.gov.

Volunteers needed

The Washington State Department of Health, in partnership with our health profession boards and commissions, has made it easier for retired health care workers or those with inactive licenses to get back into the workforce and help administer the COVID-19 vaccine. On Jan. 31, Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah signed the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) authorization, allowing workers with expired or inactive licenses to administer COVID-19 vaccines under certain circumstances.

To participate, health care workers must first register WAserv.org. Check the Department of Health's health care provider resource page for a registration guide, which provides step-by-step instructions for navigating WAserv.

COVID-19 vaccine distribution and prioritization

The state’s phased eligibility approach has helped ensure those most vulnerable were the first to be vaccinated, including older adults, those in long term care facilities, critical health care workers, and more. Details on the state's vaccine distribution planning can be found on the DOH COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution webpage.

COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup

The COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, which includes Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, and California, reviews the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines when approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. State officials believe this added layer of independent expert review will help build confidence in the vaccine. Washington's representatives on the work group include Edgar Marcus, MD, University of Washington, and John Dunn, MD, Kaiser Permanente Washington.

COVID-19 Vaccine News

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COVID-19 Vaccines Approved for Kids 6 Months to 5 Years

COVID-19 Vaccine

Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/June_24/covid_19_vaccines_approved_for_kids_6_months_to_5_years

<div class="col-md-12"> <div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/june/boy-with-mask-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="boy wearing mask" /></div> <h5>June 24, 2022</h5> <h2>COVID-19 Vaccines Approved for Kids 6 Months to 5 Years</h2> <p>Following approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup on Sunday <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nklm7aMqcyNrOrxZ-19-fGy-8i2wkxp1/view">concluded</a> that the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for children as young as 6 months old, making the more than 380,000 children ages 6 months to 5 years in Washington eligible for vaccination. The authorization includes:</p> <ul> <li>A 3-dose Pfizer vaccine primary series for children ages 6 months - 4 years</li> <li>A 2-dose Moderna vaccine primary series for children ages 6 months - 5 years</li> </ul> <p>During the rise of the omicron variant in late December 2021, infants and children ages 0-4 in the U.S. were hospitalized at approximately five times the rate of the previous peak resulting from the delta variant. Vaccination has continually shown to be the strongest measure to prevent serious disease and death caused by COVID-19.</p> <p>While the Washington State Department of Health has indicated delays in initial supply from the federal government, they expect inventory to build over the coming days and weeks. Once you have the Pfizer and Moderna pediatric COVID-19 vaccines in stock, you may begin administering them to children ages 6 months and up.</p> <p>The following resources are now available for physicians and clinicians vaccinating this age group:</p> <ul> <li><a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Newsletters/2022/baby-peds-june-16-update.pdf]">Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for 6 months through 4 years</a> </li> <li>Moderna <a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/159307/download">fact sheet</a></li> <li>Pfizer <a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/159312/download">fact sheet</a> and <a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/159303/download">Dear Provider letter</a></li> </ul> <p> If your practice is providing the new pediatric vaccine and experiences operational or administrative barriers, please email <a href="mailto:policy@wsma.org">policy@wsma.org</a> so that we may inform the Department of Health and other relevant state agencies. </p> <p>If your clinic is not yet enrolled in the federal COVID-19 Vaccination Program (enrollment is required to administer COVID-19 vaccines), learn more and enroll on the <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/healthcare-providers/vaccine-information-health-care-providers/federal-program-enrollment">DOH website</a>, and join the <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/vaccine-information/power-providers-initiative">Power of Providers Initiative</a> to help educate and empower your patients to get vaccinated. If your practice does not offer the vaccine and patients are asking where they can locate the vaccine for their child, direct them to the state's <a href="https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/">vaccine locator</a>.</p> <h3>WSMA-DOH COVID-19 Vaccines Webinar Series</h3> <p>If you haven't already, it's time to embed the COVID-19 vaccine into routine preventive care in your practice. The WSMA has joined the Washington State Department of Health to host a new webinar series to help physician practices and clinics access the tools and information they need to incorporate the COVID-19 vaccines into their practice workflows and employ effective strategies to engage patients in conversations about the vaccine. The first session, focused on embedding vaccines into preventative care, is scheduled for Friday, July 29 from noon-1 p.m. <a href="[@]WSMA/Education/Upcoming_Webinars/WSMA/education/Upcoming_Webinars/Upcoming_Webinars.aspx?hkey=b760d6bd-1833-412d-b681-babf251792a8">Register online</a>.</p> </div>

6/23/2022 12:00:00 AM

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Children Ages 5-11 Now Eligible for Pfizer COVID-19 Booster

COVID-19 Vaccine

Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/May_27/children_ages_5_11_now_eligible_for_pfizer_covid_19_booster

<div class="col-md-12"> <div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/may/boy-with-mask-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="boy wearing covid mask" /></div> <h5>May 27, 2022</h5> <h2>Children Ages 5-11 Now Eligible for Pfizer COVID-19 Booster</h2> <p>Booster doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are now available for children ages 5-11. The Washington State Department of Health expanded booster dose eligibility to include everyone 5 and older following guidance and recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup.</p> <p>The expansion of booster eligibility comes as COVID-19 cases are continuing to steadily rise across the country. The myth that COVID-19 is always a mild disease in children needs to be dispelled. Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 4.8 million children ages 5-11 have been diagnosed with COVID-19, with 15,000 hospitalized and, tragically, 180 deceased.</p> <p>DOH's updated booster dose recommendations are as follows:</p> <ul> <li>Children ages 5-11 should receive a booster dose five months after completing their primary vaccine series of the Pfizer vaccine. Immunocompromised children should receive their booster at least three months after their primary series.</li> <li>Everyone 12 and older should receive a booster dose five months after completing their primary vaccine series of Pfizer or Moderna, or two months after receiving the single-shot Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine.</li> <li>Everyone 50 and older should receive a second booster dose four months after receiving their first booster dose.</li> <li>Individuals 12 and older who are <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html">moderately or severely immunocompromised</a> should receive a second booster dose four months after receiving their first booster dose.</li> <li>Those 18 and older who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of the J&amp;J vaccine four months ago can receive a second booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.</li> </ul> <p>For more information, see the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html">CDC media statement</a> and the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-expands-eligibility-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-booster-dose">FDA press release</a>. To order more vaccine, visit the Department of Health's <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/healthcare-providers/vaccine-information-health-care-providers/management">COVID-19 Vaccine Management webpage</a>.&nbsp;</p> </div>

5/27/2022 12:00:00 AM

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Introducing WSMA's COVID-19 Vaccines Webinar Series

COVID-19 Vaccine

Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/May_27/introducing_wsmas_covid_19_vaccines_webinar_series

<div class="col-md-12"> <div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/may/covid-vax-vials-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="COVID vaccine vials" /></div> <h5>May 27, 2022</h5> <h2>Introducing WSMA's COVID-19 Vaccines Webinar Series</h2> <p>Maintaining a patient population immunized against COVID-19is a large-scale challenge requiring a coordinated effort, one where primary care physicians play a crucial role-more so now that mass vaccine clinics are becoming a thing of the past. If you haven't already, it's time to embed the COVID-19 vaccine into routine preventive care in your practice. The WSMA has joined the Washington State Department of Health to help physician practices and clinics access the tools and information they need to incorporate the COVID-19 vaccines into their practice workflows and employ effective strategies to engage patients in conversations about the vaccine. </p> <h3>Part 1 - COVID-19 Vaccines: How to Embed them into Routine Preventive Care</h3> <p><em>Friday, July 29, from noon to 1 p.m. Free.</em></p> <p>The logistics of delivering COVID-19 vaccines in a practice or clinic setting may have been a barrier in the past for some organizations, particularly for smaller practices. Today, however, there have been many advances that have made administering the vaccine more convenient for practices of all sizes. Join us for this session where you'll learn how to:</p> <ul> <li>Bill for COVID-19 vaccine counseling and administration.</li> <li>Access small, more manageable quantities of COVID-19 vaccines from vaccine depots across the state.</li> <li>Join the more than 65,000 Washington physicians, PAs, and health care providers who have already committed to educating and empowering their patients to vaccinate.</li> <li>Leverage the physician toolkit and public-facing resources to help protect the health and well-being of your community.</li> </ul> <p>Guest speakers:</p> <ul> <li>Alison Hilkiah, provider outreach supervisor, COVID-19 Vaccine Initiatives, Washington State Department of Health</li> <li>Kim Huey, MJ, CHC, CPC, CCS-P, PCS, CPCO, COC, KGG Coding and Reimbursement Consulting, LLC</li> <li>Danielle Koenig, health promotion supervisor, Center for Public Affairs, Washington State Department of Health</li> <li>Mark Jowett Tan,owner, Bainbridge Island Community Pharmacy</li> </ul> <p><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HC9jY0RkSSq5y_ZkR4Coqg">Register online for this free session</a>.</p> <h3>Part 2 - COVID-19 Vaccines: Strategies to Discuss the COVID-19 Vaccine with Your Most Reluctant Patients</h3> <p><em>Friday, Aug. 26, from noon to 1 p.m.</em></p> <p>Join an expert panel of physicians at this free webinar to learn effective strategies to engage patients in conversations about the COVID-19 vaccine by addressing their questions, fears, and concerns. Physicians from communities with low vaccination rates will provide real world examples of how to discuss the pediatric and adult vaccines, as well as booster vaccines. Representatives from the DOH will outline the key elements of its Power of Providers (POP) initiative and the resources included in the toolkit.</p> <p>Guest speakers:</p> <ul> <li>Shireesha Dhanireddy, MD, medical director, Infectious Disease Clinic, Harborview Medical Center</li> <li>Alison Hilkiah, provider outreach supervisor, COVID-19 Vaccine Initiatives, Washington State Department of Health</li> <li>Geoff Jones, MD, hospitalist and family medicine, Newport Health Center</li> <li>Gretchen LaSalle, MD,family medicine, MultiCare Rockwood Clinic - Quail Run</li> </ul> <p><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HC9jY0RkSSq5y_ZkR4Coqg">Register online for this free session</a>.</p> </div>

5/27/2022 12:00:00 AM

1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM

COVID-19 Vaccines

Now Available: New COVID-19 Patient Education Brochure

Instilling COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence

Please reach out to your patients about the COVID-19 vaccine

Join the Power of Providers initiative

COVID-19 conversation guides for physicians and health care providers

Key COVID-19 vaccine messages

“Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate!” public service announcement

Messages from the WSMA president

Countering hesitancy in patients and health care workers

Professional Resources

Governor mandates COVID-19 vaccination for health care workers

Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA) Project

Enroll in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program

Volunteers needed

COVID-19 vaccine distribution and prioritization

COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup

COVID-19 vaccine clinical and safety information

COVID-19 vaccination training

COVID-19 vaccine information

COVID-19 Vaccine News