As of September 1, 2021:

Early administration of Synagis (palivizumab) this year is under consideration

A multidisciplinary group at Seattle Children’s is carefully monitoring the rise in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in our community to determine if an early start to Synagis (palivizumab) injections is warranted this year. If they observe a sharp rise in cases for two weeks running, they likely will determine an early start is advised, and community providers will be alerted promptly.  At-risk babies and toddlers under 24 months who require monthly Synagis (palivizumab) injections through the winter typically would begin their shots in mid-November. Synagis is a monoclonal antibody that helps prevent serious lung disease caused by RSV in children.

Seattle Children’s Is providing third doses of vaccine to qualified individuals

  • This third dose is not considered a booster, but rather an additional dose for individuals who did not adequately develop immunities with the initial two.
  • We have only the Pfizer vaccine and can only provide a third dose to individuals who received Pfizer before (not Moderna or Janssen).
  • Qualified individuals may schedule using our public portal. Proof of eligibility is not required, but patients will need to state which category they fit into.
  • Seattle Children’s is not providing COVID-19 booster shots at this time. They are not yet authorized by the FDA or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Surging hospital occupancy at Seattle Children’s and in our region

  • Please manage patients in outpatient settings whenever possible to help reduce visits to Seattle Children’s ED and hospital admissions.
  • Our ED, inpatient beds and urgent care clinics are near 100% occupancy. Respiratory illness in patients with medical complexity is resulting in more prolonged stays and therefore fewer beds available. We also have a staffing shortage.
  • Seattle Children’s has seen a rise in inpatient admissions for COVID-19 compared to earlier this summer, but numbers are still low (0 to 10 children inpatient at any given time). Most are unvaccinated teens. A higher percentage are going to the ICU, rather than acute care, which suggests the severity of the disease is higher.
  • At this time we are not rescheduling any elective surgeries, and our visitor policy remains unchanged. This may change as the evolving situation warrants.

COVID-19 testing and vaccination as of Tuesday, August 31, 2021:

  • Patients tested for COVID-19:
    • Positive (detected plus inconclusive): 1,392 (3.1%)
    • Negative: 43,992 (96.9%)

Be proactive to vaccinate your patients: join POP

In keeping with our state’s Power of Providers Initiative (POP), please commit to talking to your patients and families about COVID-19 vaccination. More than 3 million Washingtonians are still not vaccinated.

  • SEEK — Proactively seek your patients’ or clients’ COVID-19 vaccination status (verbally or by checking immunization records).
  • ASK/EDUCATE — Ask your patients at every visit (including telemedicine appointments) if they have received the COVID-19 vaccine. If vaccinated, update their immunization records. If they are not, provide information and education on the COVID-19 vaccine, recommend it and offer it.
  • VACCINATE — If your patients agree, vaccinate your patients right then or give them a referral to a COVID-19 vaccine location using wa.gov (available in multiple languages) or by calling 833-VAX-HELP.
  • EMPOWER — Empower your patients to share their vaccination status with friends, family and others. And empower your staff to be persistent in continually talking about the importance of vaccines and sharing that they have been vaccinated, too!

You can become a POP partner today by filling out the form here. You will receive a certificate to display in your office, helpful social media messaging and free stickers and buttons for staff. For assistance talking to your patients about vaccination, or to learn more, visit the Power of Providers Initiative.