Children between ages 5-11 should receive a booster with Pfizer mRNA vaccine 5 months after completing their primary series.
In King, Pierce, and Kitsap County, there are a few VMFH clinic locations offering Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines for their primary care/pediatric patients, ages 5-11. Please check with your child's provider if you have questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine for pediatric patients.
We are also supporting several public vaccination events for the community and encourage them to check availability through these offerings:
Community members not established with a Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Primary Care/Pediatric provider will be best served by Puget Sound community resources.
Public health guidance now allows a second booster of mRNA vaccines for qualifying individuals. Everyone age 50 and older, and those who are immunocompromised ages 12 and older should get a second booster:
Those under age 50 and who are not immunocompromised are not eligible for a second booster at this time.
The Washington State Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are strongly recommending first boosters for everyone ages 5 and older:
If your primary vaccination was with Pfizer or Moderna over 3-5 months ago:
If the primary vaccination was with Johnson and Johnson over 2 months ago:
Mixing and Matching
The third dose of mRNA vaccines for immunocompromised patients is considered finishing their original series.
Three months after their third dose, these patients are eligible for a booster dose. A second booster can be given 4 months after their first booster: Pfizer if 12 years of age or older or Moderna if 18 years of age or older.
Third doses are the same dosage as the original vaccine series for both Pfizer and Moderna (versus booster doses where Pfizer is the same and Moderna is half).
Moderately to severely immunocompromised patients include those who have:
- Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
- Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndromes
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
Eligible patients are recommended to obtain their booster/third dose through a community vaccine provider close to home, as our hospital and clinic vaccine supply is limited. If you are an immunocompromised patient in need of a third dose, please contact your primary care provider. A booster/third dose may also be available through your Virginia Mason Franciscan Health provider as part of a routine clinic visit; however supplies are limited.
Certain individuals may qualify for vaccine exemption based on particular health risk factors. Please contact your primary care team for further information regarding vaccine exemption requests.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
Some of our clinics are now offering vaccine appointments for current patients. Current Virginia Mason Franciscan Health patients can call their primary care office or Franciscan Medical Group provider directly to see if they are scheduling vaccination appointments. Appointment availability will vary by location.
Patients who are looking for their COVID-19 vaccination records should visit the Washington State Department of Health’s website to access immunization information. Digital vaccination records are also available through WAVerify.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
Local public health departments are providing information on clinics as they are scheduled. For more information, visit: