The new COVID-19 vaccine is now available at MultiCare retail pharmacy locations (except for Navos pharmacy locations). We recommend calling your preferred pharmacy location to confirm they have vaccine in stock before you visit.
Vaccination is your best protection against COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective at preventing infections, serious illness, hospitalizations and death. Vaccines also reduce the chances of long COVID if you do get sick.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated their guidelines to recommend that everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall and winter, for two reasons:
- The virus that causes COVID-19 is always changing
- A person’s immune protection from vaccination declines over time
Getting an updated COVID-19 vaccine can help provide better protection against the variants currently responsible for most illnesses and hospitalizations.
The bivalent vaccine that was approved for use in 2022 is no longer available. Updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna were approved for use in early September, but pharmacies and clinics in your area may not yet have them in stock.
More ways to protect yourself against COVID-19
Even after you get vaccinated, there are simple actions you can take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as other respiratory viruses like flu:
- Cover your cough or sneeze with the bend of your elbow
- Wash your hands frequently or use an alcohol-based cleaner
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Avoid close contact with sick people
- Be aware of COVID-19 transmission rates in your community so you can decide what prevention steps, such as masking, may be needed
- Stay home, call your provider and keep away from others as much as possible if you develop COVID-19 or other flu-like symptoms