Summary: The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has issued a COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order for individuals aged 6 months and older, including pregnant persons, who do not have contraindications to the vaccine.
Please see below for a letter from DOH regarding the COVID-19 vaccines. We will continue to share information and resources as they are available. Jefferson County Public Health is available to answer questions, please see below for our contact information.
Dear Health Care Providers and Health System Partners,
To help reduce confusion and address urgent access barriers, we are reaching out to share updated information regarding COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and authorizations in Washington state.
DOH continues to recommend that everyone 6 months and older, including pregnant people, stay up to date with the current COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. DOH supports evidence-based COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from trusted national medical associations including the American Academy of Pediatrics for those 6 months-18 years, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology for all pregnant individuals, and the American Academy of Family Physicians for adults 19 years and older.
To support Washingtonians in their efforts to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection using the best available science, effective today DOH is issuing a statewide standing order for COVID-19 vaccines. This standing order under the direction of the State Health Officer, authorizes qualified health care professionals to vaccinate individuals aged 6 months and older, including pregnant persons, who do not have contraindications to the vaccine. Please review the standing order and FAQs on the DOH website and share with your networks as appropriate.
Additionally, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson together with Governor Gavin Newsom of California and Governor Tina Kotek of Oregon announced the formation of the West Coast Health Alliance on September 3, 2025. This regional partnership ensures public health policies continue to support safety, efficacy, transparency, access, and trust.
If you have questions about insurance coverage, we recently shared updated information on COVID-19 vaccine insurance coverage. This includes key details on coverage and billing through Apple Health (Medicaid) and private insurers.
Hopefully, this standing order will assist many in continuing to access COVID-19 vaccines. The barriers to COVID-19 vaccination are complex, and the standing order is just one part of the solution. As we work to minimize barriers, we acknowledge that challenges will remain this respiratory virus season, and many may still experience difficulty accessing vaccines. DOH is actively monitoring these issues and working toward solutions. We remain committed to science-based vaccine policy and to ensuring vaccine access and equity for everyone in Washington, and we will keep you informed of any future developments.
Thank you for your continued partnership.
Warm regards,
Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, MD MPH
State Health Officer Washington Department of Health
taosheng.kwan-gett@doh.wa.gov | 360-522-2223 | doh.wa.gov
Jamilia Sherls, DNP, MPH, RN, CPN, CDP
Director, Office of Immunization Washington State Department of Health
Jamilia.Sherls@doh.wa.gov | 564-669-0120 | doh.wa.gov