QUICK READ:
- UW Medicine will offer the newly authorized COVID-19 booster shots from Pfizer and Moderna to employees.
- Beginning Sept. 7, appointments can be scheduled at http://c19-vaccine.uwmedicine.org/. Non-clinical employees in the School of Medicine can call 844.520.8700.
- All employees, except for those in non-clinical roles in the School of Medicine, will be required to receive the updated booster or complete an online declination.
UW Medicine will begin offering employees the newly authorized COVID-19 booster shots from Pfizer and Moderna next week. The new boosters target the original strain of the virus and its newer omicron subvariants, including subvariant BA.4 and BA.5.
Both boosters were authorized for use this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
The Pfizer booster is available to people ages 12 and older who have:
- Completed their COVID-19 primary series vaccination at least two months ago; or
- Received their last booster/additional dose at least two months ago.
The Moderna booster is available to people ages 18 and older meeting the same criteria.
Children ages 5 to 11 are not eligible at this time for either of the new boosters but may receive the original Pfizer booster if they also received the Pfizer vaccine as their primary series. No COVID-19 boosters are currently recommended by the CDC for children ages 6 months to 4 years.
COVID-19 booster compliance required for employees
UW Medicine is requiring that all employees, except for those in non-clinical roles in the School of Medicine, receive the fall booster or complete an online declination. More information on the declination process and deadline for compliance will be shared in the coming weeks. Like our annual influenza prevention program, this requirement protects the safety of our patients and staff.
Non-clinical employees in the School of Medicine should continue to follow vaccination guidance from UW Environmental Health & Safety.
Schedule your fall booster starting Wednesday, Sept. 7
Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 7, you may schedule your updated booster through our online portal at http://c19-vaccine.uwmedicine.org/. Non-clinical employees in the School of Medicine should schedule by calling 844.520.8700.
Please note updated booster supplies may be limited to start, and we cannot guarantee which of the vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna) will be available at your appointment. As a reminder, you can receive either vaccine regardless of the vaccine/booster you previously received. We will add more appointments as supplies increase.
Appointments will be available at our high-volume vaccination sites at UW Medical Center – Montlake, UW Medical Center – Northwest (in a new location), and Harborview Medical Center. As supplies are limited, we recommend onsite employees and those who fall in high-risk categories (e.g., immunosuppressed, pregnant) be vaccinated first.
Boosters are a safe and effective way of reducing the risk of serious COVID-19 illness, including hospitalization and death. With fall approaching and another potential surge, UW Medicine continues to follow CDC and FDA guidance in recommending boosters for all who are eligible. For more information, visit UW Medicine COVID-19 Vaccine Information or contact your primary healthcare team.
Sincerely,
Timothy H. Dellit, MD
Interim CEO, UW Medicine
Interim Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and
Interim Dean of the School of Medicine,
University of Washington
Lisa Brandenburg
President, UW Medicine Hospitals & Clinics
Vice President for Medical Affairs
University of Washington
