Washington won’t have any free Covid shots for the uninsured until mid-October

Washington state has a program for uninsured people to get free vaccines. But that program doesn’t yet have any of the latest Covid boosters, and they’re not expected until mid-October.

Updated Covid shots are already available in Washington, and thanks to a standing order issued by the state, everyone over 6 months old can get one. But the state’s programs for providing free shots to uninsured adults, and to all children, don't yet have access to the updated Covid vaccines.

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The state says that’s because there’s a last procedural step that’s necessary before providers for these two programs can order the vaccines; the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has to sign off on the agency’s vaccine recommendations. The state’s programs are derivatives of federal programs, so free vaccines for uninsured people are being held up nationwide, not just in Washington.

“We acknowledge how frustrating and challenging this has been for providers, patients, and communities,” the state health department said in a statement.

For now, the only option for Washington’s approximately 500,000 residents who don’t have health insurance is to pay out of pocket; the vaccine may cost those patients $200 or more.

Also, the state health department’s map of free vaccine providers is about six months out of date. The state is updating it now.

Even after it’s updated, the state health department said patients should call facilities to ensure availability and find out about any requirements for getting an appointment.

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Once the free shots for the uninsured become available, most Neighborcare locations will offer them, but patients must have a primary care provider there first.

“Patients can establish care and get vaccines in their first appointment,” a Neighborcare spokesperson wrote in an email.

Two of King County’s public health clinics will also offer free vaccines to uninsured people who have a primary care provider there, as well as walk-in vaccine appointments to people who are unhoused.