Preparing for the Upcoming Viral Season

As fall approaches, Seattle Children’s has been preparing for the upcoming viral season, characterized by a rise in respiratory viruses such as influenza and RSV. These pathogens can lead to increased hospital visits and admissions, particularly among vulnerable populations like young children and those with underlying health conditions. It’s essential to prioritize vaccinations, educate families about prevention strategies, and maintain vigilant surveillance for outbreaks.

Here are some things to keep in mind as we enter the viral season:

• We will share updates in Provider News throughout the fall and winter on viral trends we are seeing at the hospital, changes to visitation and masking policies, and other relevant information. Make sure you’re subscribed!
• Seattle Children’s Emergency Department is open and ready to care for your patients; please do not hesitate to send patients when the ED is the appropriate setting for care.
• Please call Mission Control at 206-987-8899 as soon as you are considering sending a patient to the hospital – even if it’s several days in advance. Our team can recommend the ED or direct admit, and the call allows us to plan for their arrival.
• Let families know they may experience longer waits for non-critical issues and that we continue to triage to see the most emergent patients first.
• Please continue to identify and manage lower-acuity complaints in outpatient settings, including urgent care, to help maintain ED capacity for higher-acuity concerns. Our Emergency or Urgent Care Referral Guide is a great resource to use when helping families navigate the most appropriate site of care during this busy season.

Resources for Providers and Families

• Consider registering to attend the Northwest Healthcare Response Network’s Pediatric Fall Respiratory Refresher Course for updated information on the evaluation and treatment of pediatric respiratory disease and regional pediatric surge strategies.
• Consider reviewing the AAP Preparedness Checklist for Pediatric Practices and your clinic’s surge and disaster plans.
• Utilize our Healthcare Professionals site for Resources for Community Providers, including our Asthma algorithm, Bronchiolitis guidance document, COVID-19 Return to Sports algorithm, Acute Pharyngitis and Recurrent Pharyngitis.
• Advise patient families to utilize our library of Barton Schmitt patient education handouts on hundreds of conditions including COVID-19, influenza and RSV.

COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination Availability at Seattle Children’s

Seattle Children’s efforts to vaccinate patients are in accordance with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to increase access to the vaccine in healthcare settings.

COVID-19 Vaccines

• Seattle Children’s is currently offering the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine to patients at the hospital campus. The COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to our patients staying in the hospital or coming for a clinic visit at the hospital campus.

Flu Vaccines

• Seattle Children’s is providing influenza vaccinations in inpatients and outpatient settings, including the Emergency Department, Urgent Care, Bellevue Clinic and Surgery Center, and eligible perioperative hospital campus patients. All vaccinations given to patients are documented in the Child Profile Immunization Registry.
• We will also provide downloadable flu shot vouchers to patients’ family members and household contacts age 3 years and older during patient visits and stays; the vouchers can be used at any Rite Aid, Bartell Drugs or Albertsons Company with no out-of-pocket cost (family members’ insurance will be billed, if available, and any remaining balance charged to Children’s). Family members and household contacts 6 months to 35 months old will need to get their flu vaccine at their primary care provider’s office.