Update: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Dec. 9 that it was amending the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to include booster shots for 16 and 17-year-olds. The FDA guidance is fully approved by the Washington State Department of Health and authorizes a single booster shot for 16 and 17-year-olds, six months after they receive their primary vaccination of the Pfizer vaccine. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
UPDATED: Sept. 17: We are watching the news / recommendations closely on Pfizer vaccine booster shots and we await further clarification this week as the FDA makes a final decision.
National public health officials have announced that a booster shot of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines could help further reduce infection and disease rates in people who have already been fully vaccinated as well as help to better control the spread of variants.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), preparation is underway to offer Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 booster shots starting eight months after an individual’s second dose of the two-dose vaccines. Pending authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, booster shots could be offered starting Sept. 20. At this time, there are no plans to offer a second dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Booster distribution will be phased, with many health care providers, nursing home and long-term care residents, and other seniors among those who will likely be eligible first. Swedish is waiting more guidance from officials on how the boosters will be distributed in our state and region. We are committed to keeping our patients and our community updated and more information comes available.
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine
Still have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine? We encourage you to talk to your healthcare provider or a trusted community leader. If you need to find a doctor, you can use our provider directory.
Need to get your first dose?
To locate a vaccination site near you, visit the Washington State Department of Health Vaccine Locator website or call the Washington State Department of Health at 1-800-525-0127 and press #.
If you are a Swedish patient, select locations are offering vaccine appointments including our Pine Lake Universal Response Clinic, Downtown Primary Care and Mill Creek Primary Care. Please call a clinic near you to learn more and to make an appointment.
