COVID-19 Booster Shots: Where To Find Them In Washington

WASHINGTON — Booster shots, available at pharmacies, clinics and mass vaccination sites across Western Washington, are the best defense against COVID-19 illnesses as the omicron variant of the coronavirus spreads across the country, according to health officials.

Breakthrough COVID-19 cases from the omicron variant — infections among the vaccinated — are less common among people who have received their third vaccination shots, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The omicron variant, first reported in South Africa on Nov. 24, has been detected in most U.S. states, including Washington. Last week, King County health experts warned of exponential growth in omicron cases, with case counts projected to surpass record levels before the new year.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, said Friday the Pfizer and Moderna booster shots work well against the omicron variant and that there’s no need for a specific vaccine to fight it.

Public health officials are concerned that vaccination rates — currently 61 percent of eligible Americans are fully vaccinated, and only 28 percent have gotten booster shots — are insufficient to fend off a fifth wave of the coronavirus. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are increasing, with about 120,000 new cases and 1,200 deaths reported each day, mainly from the delta variant.

State and county health departments are working to expand vaccination efforts through the holidays and into 2022 to help alleviate the wait times for Washingtonians in search of a third shot. Seattle recently expanded hours at a few city-run sites, including thousands available most weekends at the Amazon Meeting Center downtown. In Pierce County, residents have several ways to get a shot in the coming days and weeks, including a recurring event at the South Hill Mall, which will be open on Christmas Eve.

Here are the best resources for securing a booster appointment in Washington:

• Find a list of upcoming vaccination and booster events across Pierce County.
• Check for appointments at one of King County's high-volume vaccination sites, and sign up for a countywide waitlist online.
• Secure a booster or pediatric vaccination appointment via UW Medicine's waitlist.
• Search for openings near you at local pharmacies, including QFC, Fred Meyer, Bartell Drugs, Walgreens and CVS.
• Use the state's official VaccineLocator tool to find nearby locations with potential openings.
• Need more assistance? Contact the state's hotline at 1-833-VAX-HELP or text your zip code to 438-829 (GET VAX).

The CDC says Pfizer and Moderna booster shots both provide increased protection against COVID-19 and helped prevent severe symptoms in breakthrough cases.