ICHS is administering COVID-19 vaccines for individuals six months and older
We each have a responsibility to ensure that those around us are protected. We reduce COVID-19 transmission by being vaccinated and boosted, protecting ourselves, our loved ones, and our community.
Unvaccinated people aged 6 months and older are 2.7 times more likely to test positive and 5 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than those who are vaccinated with at least a primary series, according to the CDC. Unvaccinated people aged 5 years and older are 2.3 times more likely to test positive and 7 times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to people vaccinated with a primary series and 1+ booster dose.
Dr. Lakshmi Deepa Yerram, ICHS chief medical officer, emphasizes the importance of vaccinating our youngest children against COVID-19. She also advocates that everyone who is eligible should get the updated bivalent booster.
What to expect
COVID-19 vaccines are free of charge, regardless of immigration or health insurance status.
Please bring your ID and insurance card if you have health insurance. Also bring your CDC vaccination record card if you are receiving your second or booster vaccine. You will be given vaccine safety information when you arrive. After you receive your vaccine, ICHS staff will observe you for 15 minutes. If you have a history of allergies or allergic reactions, we will observe you for 30 minutes.
COVID-19 vaccines offered at ICHS
- Pfizer COVID-19 primary series vaccines for people ages six months and older
- Pfizer COVID-19 bivalent (Omicron) boosters for people five years and older
How to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at ICHS
ICHS patients and non-ICHS patients can walk in to clinic pharmacies at ICHS' International District, Holly Park and Shoreline clinics Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (availability based on limited supply). Walk in vaccinations are not available at our Bellevue clinic at this time.
Pharmacies vaccinate individuals five years of age and older.
Do you want to complete paperwork at home? Click to view the pharmacy consent form: English | Chinese | Vietnamese
Scheduled appointments are also available for ICHS patients with an ICHS provider. Patients may call us at 206.788.3700 to make an appointment.
'Primary' series doses
The Pfizer-BioNTech is designed as a two-dose vaccine for individuals ages 5 and older. It is very important that you receive your second dose in order to be fully vaccinated. ICHS will schedule your second dose after your first shot 21 days later at the same location. These are called 'primary series' doses.
For children age 6 months to 4 years, a third dose 3-8 weeks is recommended as the 'primary series'. The COVID-19 bivalent (Omicron) booster is offered as the third dose in order to build immunity to the virus.
Additional dose for immunocompromised
If you are moderately or severely immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system), you are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness and death. Additionally, your immune response to COVID-19 vaccination may not be as strong as in people who are not immunocompromised.
Use CDC’s COVID-19 booster tool to learn if and when you can get boosters to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.
Have you or your child had COVID-19?
The CDC says that you may consider delaying the next COVID-19 vaccine dose by 3 months after symptoms started or, if they had no symptoms, when they first received a positive test.
Everyone ages five years and older should get a bivalent booster shot
As the virus evolves, so should our protection. The updated bivalent booster vaccines are designed to specifically target COVID’s fast spreading Omicron subvariants. Omicron is accounting for the great majority of infections in the U.S. This means better protection for you, your family, and our entire community.
Getting a booster is the most effective way to bolster your protection against the virus.
Check out the chart below to see if you or your child are eligible for one or more booster doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.*
*People who recently had SARS-CoV-2 infection may consider delaying their COVID-19 primary or booster dose by 3 months from symptom onset or positive test (if infection was asymptomatic). Individual factors such as risk of COVID-19 severe disease, COVID-19 community level, or characteristics of the predominant SARSCoV-2 strain should be taken into account when determining whether to delay getting a booster dose after infection.
'Mixing and matching'
After reviewing vaccine safety and effectiveness data, the CDC has found that “mixing and matching” a different booster shot from your original vaccination is safe and effective. For example, someone who was vaccinated with Moderna may safely choose to get a Pfizer booster.
For more information
- COVID-19 vaccination walk-ups and appointments are available at the Auburn General Services Administration.
- Organized by Public Health - Seattle & King County.
- Offering boosters, first and second doses for adults and kids.
- Open seven days a week, 12:00pm to 7:00pm
- Visit the Public Health – Seattle & King County website for the latest information and updates about vaccine development and distribution.
- Visit the Washington State Department of Health's vaccine locator to find other COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
- Take a look at our vaccine updates and FAQ to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and help answer common questions.