Get your COVID-19 Vaccine

Protect the memories of tomorrow; get your COVID-19 vaccine today

As we navigate a post-pandemic world, showing up for our people is just as important as ever.

Time after time, no matter the adversity, our community has shown the world that if we’re going to rise above, we’re going to do it together. Our strength comes from our sense of togetherness. Building a strong community begins with building strong people because positive outcomes happen with action. It may seem like a thing of the past, but we cannot let our guard down in our fight against COVID-19. By getting informed, we can do what’s needed to protect our families and community.

On this page, you will find up-to-date information to help you and your family make the best vaccination decision.

COVID-19 is Still Around

As time goes on, the risk of contracting COVID-19 may seem like a distant memory. The truth is that the COVID-19 virus is still around and making people sick in our community. Ensuring you receive the most updated COVID-19 vaccine remains the safest way to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalizations, long-term complications, and even death.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months or older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of severe illness from respiratory diseases like COVID-19, including young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with underlying medical conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

COVID-19 is an unusual disease and an unprecedented chapter in recent history. Naturally, Washington state's Latino community has questions. As vaccination efforts continue to be crucial in combating the virus, we want to acknowledge and respond to them.

COVID-19 has become milder and more "manageable." How does added protection from the latest updated vaccine help me?

COVID-19 is extremely unpredictable, we know some variants are likely to affect your health more or differently than others. Our 2023 COVID-19 report found that in some cases, unvaccinated people with no chronic health conditions have been reported to get very sick and even die. Others have been known to get symptoms that last for months, greatly affecting their quality of life. We still don't know all the long-term effects of COVID-19 infection. The best way to protect yourself and your family is by staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.

I feel protected after developing natural immunity from getting sick with COVID-19. What are the benefits of getting the latest updated COVID-19 vaccine?

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer, more reliable way to build protection than getting sick with COVID-19. The virus that causes COVID-19 is always changing, and protection from previous infection or COVID-19 vaccination declines over time. Receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine can restore and provide added protection against the variants responsible for current hospitalizations in the United States – even if you had COVID-19 before.

Recent CDC data shows that people who received the updated COVID-19 vaccine were 54% less likely to get infected with COVID-19 during the four-month period from mid-September 2023 to January 2024.

I worry about missing work. What if I get sick from getting the COVID-19 vaccine?

Like other vaccines, the updated COVID-19 vaccine can have some side effects. However, most people who get vaccinated have only mild and temporary side effects or none at all. The most common side effects include pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea. These are normal signs that your body is building protection against COVID-19 and usually go away on their own within a few days. It's a good reminder that the updated COVID-19 vaccine protects you, so you don't have to miss even more workdays if you do get sick with COVID-19.

I still think the COVID-19 vaccines are too new. How can I know they are safe?

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. During the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of millions of people in the United States received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history. The CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other federal agencies continue to monitor the safety of the updated COVID-19 vaccine, as they do with other vaccines.

I'm concerned about the costs of the COVID-19 vaccine. How can I access free vaccines?

Like other vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines are covered by most private insurance plans, Medicare and Medicaid, and will continue to be free for all children in Washington state until their 19th birthday through the Washington State Childhood Vaccine Program and Vaccines for Children program regardless of insurance or immigrant status. When you take your child (aged 0-18 years) to a health clinic in Washington state, you might have to pay a small charge for the office visit, but you will not be charged for the vaccine itself. View participating healthcare providers on the Washington State Department of Health's Vaccine Provider Map.

I don't know where to get a COVID-19 vaccine near me. Where can I find help?

Additional Resources

If you are a parent looking for information on children's vaccines, including the Recommended Vaccine Schedule, visit our childhood vaccine website.

For additional information about COVID-19 from the Washington State Department of Health, visit our COVID-19 parent website.