COVID-19 vaccines available at Sequim pharmacies
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, October 1, 2025
For adults who want a COVID-19 vaccination, the shots should be available at Sequim pharmacies along with other vaccinations.
“COVID-19 and flu vaccines are becoming increasingly available for adults at pharmacies around (Clallam County),” said Clallam County Health Officer Allison Berry.
Clinics and pharmacies anticipate seeing an increase in availability of pediatric vaccines in October, she said, with more availability through the federal Vaccines for Children Program.
Sequim pharmacies offer individual and household reservations online or walk-ins for the vaccine.
On Sept. 5, the Washington Department of Health issued a standing order for the COVID-19 vaccine for all Washington residents ages 6-months-and-up, and recommended people stay up to date on the vaccine.
“COVID-19 vaccines are well-researched, well-tested, and have saved millions of lives around the world,” said Washington State Health Officer Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett via a DOH press release.
After previous recommendations from the Centers for Disease and Prevention for people to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or a booster in recent years, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted on Sept. 19 to make no recommendation and leave the decision to individuals after talking with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, according to the Associated Press.
The non-recommendation follows a change between federal leadership with President Donald Trump’s appointee U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. firing existing ACIP members and appointing eight new members.
Washington state leadership is also now part of the West Coast Health Alliance effective Sept. 3, that, according to a press release, was created in response to recent federal actions that undermined the independence of the CDC and raised concerns about the politicization of science.”
The states’ health officers provided vaccine recommendations on Sept. 17 for COVID-19, influenza and RSV.
For COVID-19, all children 6-23 months old are recommended to receive the vaccine, along with children ages 2-18 with risk factors, or who have never been vaccinated for COVID-19.
The recommendation also includes children in close contact with others with risk factors.
All women who are planning a pregnancy, are pregnant, postpartum or lactating are recommended for the COVID-19 vaccine, along with all adults 65 and older, those younger than 65 with risk factors, and those in close contact with others with risk factors.
According to another West Coast Health Alliance press release, its recommendations come from health officers who are all medical doctors and subject matter experts.
County, state alignment
Berry said her office supports Washington State’s vaccine recommendations, which aligns with the Western States’ recommendations.
“The biggest reason to get vaccinated with an updated vaccine in the fall is because the virus always changes,” Berry said.
“Because the virus mutates from year to year, you need to update your protection annually. Just like the annual flu shot is updated to match the current flu strains, the same is true for COVID-19.”
For most, she said COVID-19 is not as severe as it once was due to accumulated immunity from prior vaccines and infections, but cautions it can make people very ill, such as those with underlying health conditions.
For those over 65, Berry said it’s especially important for them to be vaccinated as they can have a hard time maintaining immunity.
Young children also have developing immune systems and weren’t alive for much of the COVID-19 pandemic, so they can get quite ill as well, she said.
“Getting vaccinated is an act of community,” Berry said. “It protects you, but also your family, your friends, your neighbors. I hope we can get back to that sense of community and our own responsibility to each other.
“I think if we could do that, our world would be a better place for us all.”
Berry reiterated that vaccines are effective and safe, and safer than getting COVID-19.
“(Vaccines) have been so effective that we’ve seen the eradication of many illnesses that were previously commonplace,” she said.
“Now with the rise of inaccurate information that can spread like wildfire on the internet, we’re at risk of losing that, of seeing old pathogens return and harm the vulnerable in our community, especially our children.
“If you’re in doubt, talk to your doctor or call us and we can help you sort out fact from fiction.”
She said doctors and health department staff will hear concerns and help patients/residents access needed information.
“No one’s going to force you or shame you – we’re here to help,” Berry said.
She confirmed a reduction across Clallam County in vaccination rates, including for common vaccines, such as pertussis and measles, due to barriers to access during the pandemic as well as an increase of inaccurate information during and after the pandemic.
“We’re working hard to improve access in our community and share accurate information as much as possible, even with our limited resources,” Berry said.
Jamestown Clinic response
Representatives with the Jamestown Family Health Clinic, 808 N. Fifth Ave., write via email its staff will be following “the evidence-based vaccine guidelines recommended by the West Coast Health Alliance.”
“It is unfortunate that changes in COVID-19 recommendations for immunization practices are no longer supported by scientific evidence and are opposed by leading national medical organizations,” write clinic representatives.
Staff report the clinic will offer scheduled appointments for established patients starting mid-October for the flu vaccine, and they’re hoping to offer appointments for COVID-19 at the same time.
The RSV vaccination is not offered for adults at the clinic, staff report.
The clinic’s medical providers recommend an updated COVID-19 vaccination this fall, especially for people at the highest risk of serious illness.
They report that those include:
• Older adults, especially age 65 and up
• People with chronic health conditions, such as lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, obesity, or neurologic conditions
• Those with weakened immune systems, including patients on chemotherapy, transplant medications, or other immune-suppressing therapies
• Residents of long-term care facilities or others living in group settings
They add that “while healthy children and younger adults are at much lower risk of severe COVID complications, vaccination can still provide protection against severe illness, which can result in fewer missed school or work days, and help limit spread to more vulnerable family members.”
“Vaccines play a crucial role in preventing epidemic diseases and protecting personal health. COVID, Influenza, and RSV vaccines are highly recommended and are entirely voluntary,” clinic staff write.
“Restricting access to specific vaccines are not increasing patient choice; they are doing the opposite and increasing the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.”
Sequim pharmacies
• Costco, 955 W. Washington St. 360-406-2025, costco.com
Open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday.
• QFC, 990 E. Washington St. 360-683-1156; qfc.com.
Open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.
• Safeway, 680F W. Washington St. (360) 681-2120, safeway.com
Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
• Walgreens, 490 W. Washington St., 360-681-2018, walgreens.com
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday.
• Walmart, 1110 W. Washington St., 360-683-9346, walmart.com
Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
Note: Some pharmacies close for a meal break. Rite Aid at 520 W. Washington St. permanently closed on June 26.
