COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines are now available for anyone 6 months and older who live or work in Washington state regardless of immigration status, insurance or income. 

• Neighborcare Health is offering the vaccines for ages 6 months and older and boosters for 5 and older at some of our clinics and school-based health centers. Call a clinic or school-based health center to learn more. 
• To find appointments at other locations, enter your zip code at Vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov.
• To get help by phone, call the Washington state COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-525-0127, then press # when prompted. Language assistance is available.
• You can text your zip code to 438-829 (GET VAX) or 822-862 (VACUNA) for vaccine locations near you.
• If you or someone you know is homebound, fill out a secure online form. Your answers will help connect you to available County and/or State Mobile Vaccine Teams.

If you need transportation to your COVID-19 vaccine appointment:

• Patients with Apple health (Medicaid) have access to free transportation to any non-emergency health appointment, including vaccines.
• Call the state COVID-19 information hotline at 833-VAX-HELP and a hotline specialist will assist in coordinating rides with Lyft, thanks to a partnership with Washington 211 and United Way Worldwide through their Ride United.

The CDC and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommend everyone 5 years and older get a booster:

• Children ages 5-11 should receive a booster dose five months after completing their primary vaccine series. Immunocompromised children should receive their booster at least three months after their primary series.
• Everyone 12 and older should receive an updated bivalent booster dose two months after completing their primary vaccine series or prior booster dose.

Learn about which booster to get and when. 

Neighborcare is offering boosters vaccine at some of our clinics and school-based health centers. Call a clinic to learn more.

Find other places to get a booster at vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov or call 1-800-525-0127.

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe. In the U.S., COVID-19 vaccines (and other vaccines) must meet numerous safety and effectiveness standards, and go through thorough clinical trials before they are authorized for use. Many thousands of volunteers received the COVID vaccines during the clinical trials. Many millions of people have safely received the vaccines since. The vaccines will also continue to undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in US history.

More information about vaccines for children and teens. 

Read more about ensuring safety of COVID vaccines on the CDC website and the Washington State Department of Health website.

COVID-19 vaccines teach your immune system to recognize the coronavirus and your immune system makes antibodies (“fighter cells”) that stay in your blood and protect you in case you are infected with the virus. You get protection against the disease without having to get sick.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses, or two shots several weeks apart. The Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine requires one dose. 

When enough people in the community can fight off the coronavirus, it has nowhere to go. This means we can stop the spread quicker and get a little closer to ending this pandemic.

The authorized vaccines do NOT give you COVID-19 nor do they contain the virus. You may feel side effects after getting the shot, such as fever, chills or body aches, but they usually last only for a few days and are a sign your body is building immunity. 

Watch this video on how these vaccines work in your body.

Learn more about the vaccines in the Public Health--Seattle & King County frequently asked questions. 

We strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated because it is a key step in saving lives.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) stated that pregnant people should get the vaccine because they have a higher risk of severe illness if infected with the virus than non-pregnant people.

If you are considering a future pregnancy, there is no evidence of any adverse impact of the vaccine. If you have questions, please talk to your provider.

You may read or hear false information online or on social media about what is in the COVID-19 vaccines.

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines DO contain the active ingredient of mRNA along with other ingredients like fat, salts, and sugars that protect the active ingredient, help it work better in the body, and protect the vaccine during freezing.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine DOES contain adenovirus 26, a harmless virus used to deliver the spike protein that’s on the surface of the coronavirus to our cells. The cells can then recognize COVID-19 and protect you from infection. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine also contains citric acid and ethanol.

None of the authorized COVID vaccines or those in development contain the full virus.

The authorized vaccines also DO NOT include:

• pork products
• egg
• latex
• blood products
• COVID-19 virus cells
• mercury
• microchips
• fetal tissue

See the full list of ingredients in the Pfizer vaccine from the FDA.

See the full list of ingredients in the Moderna vaccine from the FDA. 

See the full list of ingredients in the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine from the FDA.

See this FAQ from Public Health—Seattle & King County for more information.

Side effects may include headaches, tiredness, muscle/body aches, fever and a sore arm. These symptoms mean the vaccine is working and your body is responding, and they should go away within a few days. 

Even though the side effects are similar, the vaccines cannot give you COVID-19. 

There have been some cases out of many millions, where people experienced a severe allergic reaction or other severe side effects after getting vaccinated. These instances have been rare. Learn more about vaccine safety and side effects. 

You may read false information online or on social media about side effects. Make sure you check the source of that claim. Watch this video for tips on how to determine if a claim is true or not. 

It's understandable you may have questions or concerns about these new vaccines. The vaccines were found safe and effective after tens of thousands of people received the vaccine in the clinical trials, and now millions have been vaccinated. There are new and existing systems set up to continually monitor and evaluate side effects of the COVID vaccine as more people are vaccinated. Immediate action and communication will occur if a new side effect is discovered.

Read more about the safety of the vaccines and side effects. 

We encourage everyone to get vaccinated because it is a key step in saving lives and ending the pandemic.   

There are no chronic conditions that exclude people from getting the vaccine at this time. We do know that having chronic health conditions can increase the risk of severe COVID illness leading to hospitalization and death, so it is even more important for people with these conditions to consider being vaccinated to protect themselves.  

Talk with your health care provider to decide if the vaccine is right for you. 

There is no cost for the vaccine itself. COVID vaccines will be covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance and the federal government, and the cost of the vaccine will be covered for people who are uninsured. 

Yes, there may be a benefit for people to get the vaccine even if they’ve already been sick with COVID-19. If you currently have or have recently been exposed to COVID-19, it’s best to wait until you feel better or are through your isolation period to get vaccinated. Talk to your medical provider.

It is your choice to get vaccinated or not, but many employers are now requiring it as a condition of employment.

Washington State Governor Inslee issued an executive order requiring vaccines for some state employees and workers at private health care organizations and educational institutions in the state. Individuals must be fully vaccinated by October 18, 2021. Read more about the state vaccine requirement. 

In support of this mandate, in alignment with our mission and together with area health care organizations, Neighborcare Health is requiring that staff, contractors, vendors, students and volunteers be fully immunized against COVID-19 by October 18, 2021.

Neighborcare Health providers and staff have been fully vaccinated because they believe it is important for our health and well-being of our community. Watch this video from our staff.

We are encouraging others to get their vaccine, too. By getting many people vaccinated, we can save lives.

Please call your clinic to make an appointment with your primary care provider to talk about a medical exemption or if you have questions about the COVID vaccine. Please note that conditions for medical exemptions are rare. 

Neighborcare providers will NOT sign religious exemptions. 

Talk to your medical provider about whether you or your child should get the vaccine.

Read more about vaccines from the CDC.

COVID-19 is still spreading and the pandemic is still ongoing. Even though Washington state and King County no longer require people 5 years and older to wear a mask indoors in public settings, it is a good idea to continue to take steps to protect yourself and your family.  Read more about masking on the Public Health--Seattle & King County website. 

Masks are still required in the health care settings. Staff, patients and visitors 5 years and older must wear masks when coming into a Neighborcare clinic or building, and people older than 2, are encouraged to wear one. 

Steps to protect yourself:

• Get a booster shot.
• Wear a mask in indoor public places, especially if crowded.
• If gathering indoors with family or friends, improve air flow by opening windows or using air filters.
• If you have symptoms or have been exposed, get tested and follow isolation and quarantine guidelines. 

Read the guidelines on how to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinatione from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

• Read this FAQ from Public Health—Seattle & King County and 
• This info from the Washington State Department of Health (En español)
• Also, be sure to talk to your medical provider.