Tips for a Healthy Winter

Seattle Public Schools wants to ensure a healthy return to school and work for our students, families, and staff.

During the colder months, we encourage you to follow these steps to help limit the spread of respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, flu, RSV and others.

Stop Germs, Stay Healthy 

Stop Germs, Stay Healthy 

• Stay home if you feel sick. Students and staff experiencing new, changed, or worsening respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms should stay home and test for COVID-19. 
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer when unable to wash hands. 
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper arm, not your hand. 
• Wear a high-quality, well-fitting facemask (such as an N95 or KN95) in crowded areas and indoor public spaces.  
• Get vaccinated. Vaccines and boosters are the best protection against illnesses. 
• Test for COVID-19. Even if you test negative, it’s important to follow Department of Health guidance and stay home if you are experiencing symptoms. Please be sure to test for COVID-19 before and after travel.(Free home COVID-19 tests can be ordered from the federal government).   
• Get plenty of sleep and eat nutritious foods. Taking care of yourself will help your body stay healthy.  
• Improve indoor ventilation by opening windows and doors and using air filtration devices. 

Vaccines

Looking to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines but aren’t sure where to start? Find vaccine locations for vaccinations.

No Cost COVID-19 Vaccination

Most insurance covers the full cost, and if you don’t have insurance, you can get no cost vaccination at Bridge Access Program locations.

Locations include:

• Public Health’s Kent Vaccination Clinic for updated COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots for the whole family, ages 6 months and older. Drop in or by appointment. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30-6, with Park & Vax in your car on Wednesdays. More Public Health Kent Vaccination Clinic information.
• CVS, Walgreens, and many Community Health Centers. SeaMar has drop-in vaccination (check ahead to see if children’s vaccine is available).

Many other vaccination locations (Many other vaccination locations in Spanish.

Need COVID-19 Vaccines for Babies and Children?

No cost vaccination for babies and children 6 months and older at:

• Public Health’s Kent Vaccination Clinic
• Snoqualmie Valley Hospital has drive-through vaccination by appointment on Wednesdays and Fridays.
• Free clinics with ALL the vaccinations required by schools and also COVID-19 and flu shots for families who live in South King County, or don’t have insurance, or are living homeless, or have recently moved to the U.S. and don’t have a medical provider. See the list of Back to School Clinics.

RSV Vaccines

• RSV vaccine is available for people 60 years and over.
• An immunization for infants was approved, but supply is low. The federal government prioritized the limited doses for infants at the highest risk. Anyone who is pregnant can get the RSV vaccine between 32-36 weeks of pregnancy to protect infants after birth.
• The RSV vaccine is available at CVS and Walgreens.

More information about respiratory viruses is available on the Public Health – Seattle & King County website.

Thank you for protecting others and making sure we have a safe back-to-school season! Visit our respiratory illness response webpage for additional information.