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Vaccine and Booster Information

COVID-19 vaccine information

  • All available COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective at reducing the risk of COVID-19. Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and booster is the best way to protect yourself and others. The vaccine is the best protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death, while helping to reduce the symptoms of infection and speed recovery.
  • Since we began administering COVID-19 vaccine in mid-December 2020, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is pleased to have provided over 350,000 vaccine doses.
  • As availability of vaccine providers across the region has increased, the demand for large scale vaccination events has decreased. For information about vaccine availability near you or vaccine-only appointments we recommend visiting Vaccinate WA.
  • 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 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 informationDigital vaccination records are also available through WAVerify.
  • Please continue to wash your hands, wear a mask, keep physical distance from others and stay home when you are unwell.

Pediatric COVID-19 vaccine information

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.

Second booster guidance

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:

  • Individuals 50 years of age or older should receive either a second Pfizer or Moderna mRNA COVID-19 booster 4 months after their first booster.
  • For the immunocompromised, a second booster can be given 4 months after their first booster: Pfizer if 12 years of age or older, or Pfizer or Moderna if 18 years of age or older.
  • Additionally, based on newly published data, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Those under age 50 and who are not immunocompromised are not eligible for a second booster at this time.

Vaccine booster information

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:

  • Anyone age 5 and older should get a Pfizer booster.
  • Anyone age 18 or older should get a booster with preference to Pfizer or Moderna, but can be Johnson and Johnson.
  • Booster should be given after 5 months unless the patient is moderately or severely immunocompromised, where it should be given after 3 months. 

If the primary vaccination was with Johnson and Johnson over 2 months ago:

  • Anyone age 18 and older should get a booster with preference to Pfizer or Moderna but can be Johnson and Johnson.

Mixing and Matching

  • Adults can choose any vaccine for the booster dose, regardless of the initial vaccine given
  • Any vaccine booster is considered appropriate for protecting against COVID-19, and any booster produces better immunity than no booster

Additional dose and booster guidance for immunocompromised patients

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).

  • Third dose: moderately to severely immunocompromised patients, aged ≥12, 28 days after getting the second Pfizer or Moderna dose.
  • Children aged 5-17 may only receive the Pfizer vaccine.
  • Adults aged 18 and over can receive either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. If unable to get the same mRNA vaccine as the original series, it is OK to get the other type of mRNA vaccine (i.e. if the original series was with Moderna, ideally the third dose should also be with Moderna, but can be with Pfizer if Moderna is not available).
  • Recipients of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine should receive a booster dose 2 months after their first, as outlined in the booster guidance above. There is no additional dose for Johnson and Johnson vaccine recipients.

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.

Vaccination certificates and proof of vaccination

  • Digital vaccination certificates available. Washington State COVID-19 vaccination certificates for individuals and their family members are now available through Washington MyIR mobile. Full immunization records are available at MyIR Mobile. If you received the vaccine in Washington, you can register online to access your vaccination record. The DOH has created an informational flier on handling Vax Cards, available in English and Spanish, with more languages coming soon. (Note the certificates are located on the "Documents" page once the system links your record — they are not under "Immunizations").

    Individuals that are unable to match their records:

Vaccination exemptions

  • 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.

Scheduling a vaccine


Patients interested in a COVID-19 vaccine appointment should visit the Department of Health’s Vaccine Locator tool or call 1-833-VAX-HELP (1-833-829-4357) to schedule an appointment. Availability is updated regularly.

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 informationDigital 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: