RNA vaccines:

The SARS-CoV-2 gene that creates the spike protein can be used in the form of DNA or messenger RNA (mRNA) as a vaccine. This type of vaccine trains our body to recognize and fight the protein. Once the body does this, it then discards the mRNA.

Pfizer and Moderna produce RNA vaccines. These vaccines are authorized for emergency use in the U.S.

Protein vaccines:

Harmless pieces of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein are used to make this vaccine. This type of vaccine is also used for whooping cough (pertussis) and hepatitis B.

Novavax produces a Protein vaccine. It is in Phase 3 clinic trials in the U.S.

Vector vaccines:

The SARS-CoV-2 gene that creates the spike protein is inserted into a harmless virus to deliver the gene to human cells. The spike protein then stimulates immune responses. Adenoviruses, which cause common cold-like symptoms, are often used as the viral vector for these types of vaccines.

AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson produce Vector vaccines.

Vaccine effectiveness also varies based on COVID-19 variants or mutations. We know that some of the vaccines are less effective against the variants first found in Brazil, South Africa and the U.K.

Vaccine efficacy is the measure used in clinical trials.

Each COVID-19 vaccine has a different level of efficacy against milder disease. The vaccines in use or in Phase 3 clinical trials have an efficacy ranging between 57% and 95% in preventing symptomatic infection.

Mutations are making COVID-19 better at latching onto human cells. This makes it spread more easily from person to person. It requires a smaller amount of virus and less time in the same room with an infected person for someone to catch the mutated coronavirus.

It's important to take all precautions to prevent transmission of the new variants:

• Wear a mask with multiple layers 
• Maintain physical distance from others
• Practice good hand hygiene

The percentage of people who need to have protection in order to achieve herd immunity varies by disease. Experts do not know what percentage of people would need to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity to COVID-19.

Eligible conditions include:

• Active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
• Receipt of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
• Receipt of CAR-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy)
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge, Wiskott-Aldrich syndromes)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with any of the following medications:
  • Azathioprine (Imuran) 
  • B-cell activating factor (BAFF) inhibitor: belimumab (Benlysta)
  • Cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive
  • Cyclophosphamide at any dose within the last 3 months
  • Cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf, Sandimmune)
  • High-dose corticosteroids (i.e., ≥20mg prednisone or equivalent per day)
  • Interleukin-1(IL-1) blockers: anakinra (Kineret), rilonacept (Arcalyst), canakinumab (Ilaris) 
  • Interleukin-6 (IL-6) blockers: tocilizumab (Actemra), sarilumab (Kevzara)
  • Interleukin-12/23 (IL-12/23) blockers: ustekinumab (Stelara)
  • Interleukin-17 (IL-17) blockers: secukinumab (Cosentyx), ixekizumab (Taltz)
  • Interleukin-23 (IL-23) blockers: guselkumab (Tremfya), risankizumab (Skyrizi) and tildrakizumab (Ilumya)
  • Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors: tofacitinib (Xeljanz), baricitinib (Olumiant), upadacitinib (Rinvoq)
  • Leflunomide (Arava)
  • Methotrexate
  • Mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept) or mycophenolic acid (Myfortic)
  • Rituximab (Rituxan, Ruxience, Truxima) at any dose within the last 12 months
  • Tacrolimus (Prograf)
  • TNF blockers: infliximab (Remicade, Inflectra, Renflexis), adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia), golimumab (Simponi), and etanercept (Enbrel)
  • T-cell co-stimulation blocker: abatacept (Orencia)

If you are unsure if you are immunocompromised, please contact your health care provider.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, since we’re in a pandemic, developing a new vaccine can go faster than normal. No steps are skipped, but some steps happen at the same time, like applications, trials and manufacturing.

You may have heard the term ""emergency use authorization."" This is one of the tools the FDA is using to make critical medical products, including tests and vaccines, available quickly during the pandemic. It helps speed up the process of approval, clearance and licensing.

Washington state has joined other western states, the Western States Scientific Review Group, to do an additional expert review of the clinical trials' results to make sure the vaccine is ready for distribution.

Watch these videos to learn more about how vaccines are approved:

Cases have typically occurred within seven days of receiving the second dose. Most patients who received care responded well to treatment and rest and quickly felt better.

Our clinics are located in the following neighborhoods:

• Ballard
• Federal Way
• Issaquah
• Northgate
• South Lake Union
• Belltown
• First Hill
• Kent-Des Moines
• Ravenna
• University District
• Factoria
• Fremont
• Lake Forest Park
• Shoreline
• Woodinville

You may schedule a second dose appointment in one of the ways listed at the top of this page.

It may not always be possible to get the second dose within the recommended time frame, but if the second dose is given late, there is no need to restart the series.

You may choose which COVID-19 vaccine you receive as a booster shot. Some people may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.

Some people who have received the Moderna vaccine reported delayed allergic reactions. These reactions occur at or near the site of injection on their arm around 5 to 7 days after vaccination. Symptoms included redness, rash or swelling. You may still receive the second dose of vaccine if you have had this type of reaction.

We know that:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women were not included in the COVID-19 clinical trials.
• The risk of maternal or fetal harm from an mRNA vaccine is unknown but thought to be low.
• COVID-19 disease carries an increased risk in pregnancy. This is particularly true for patients with obesity or other medical conditions.

If you are planning to be vaccinated prior to surgery, please follow this guidance:

• Avoid getting the COVID-19 vaccine within seven days before elective surgery. It is common to have some COVID-19-like symptoms after vaccination. These symptoms would lead to potential delays in the procedure, a need for more testing or both.
• You may have surgery if you've received the vaccine three to six days before if you have not developed symptoms (such as fevers, chills, myalgias, headache).
• Avoid getting vaccinated in the same area of your body where you are having surgery. Delayed vaccine site reactions can occur and can appear like a local infection.
• Avoid scheduling elective surgery within 48 hours of vaccination. If you've been vaccinated within 48 hours of your scheduled surgery, it is OK to proceed if you don't have symptoms. Urgent surgeries should not be delayed because of the vaccine.
• If the second dose of vaccine conflicts with your planned surgery, it is OK to delay the second dose until after you've recovered. The second vaccine dose may be given up to 42 days after the initial dose."