Accessible only by air, sea or trail, Stehekin faces unique COVID-19 vaccine challenge
Two communities isolated from the everyday world now have the COVID-19 vaccine.
On the far end of Lake Chelan sit Holden Village and Stehekin. No roads lead to these communities. You can only get there by boat, plane or hiking in on the Pacific Crest Trail.
These are places where, if you get seriously ill, with the coronavirus, for example, there’s no easy way to get out and no easy way to get life-saving medical care.
Pfizer asks FDA to allow its COVID-19 vaccine for younger teens
Pfizer announced Friday that it has submitted a request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to expand emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine to kids as young as 12.
Most COVID-19 vaccines being rolled out worldwide are for adults, who are at higher risk from the coronavirus.
Pfizer’s vaccine is currently authorized for ages 16 and older. But vaccinating children of all ages will be critical to stopping the pandemic — and helping schools, at least the upper grades, start to look a little more normal after months of disruption.
Nearly half a million people in King County fully vaccinated against COVID-19
Health leaders in King County now say nearly a half-million residents are fully vaccinated, yet they are encouraging people to remain vigilant against COVID-19.
Dr. Jeff Duchin, health officer for Public Health -- Seattle & King County, said in a briefing Friday that 26.5%, or 490,639, of King County residents have now had both doses of the vaccine, and more than 825,000 people have received at least one dose.
It comes as the county teeters near the threshold for a return to Phase 2 under the metrics laid out by Gov. Jay Inslee.
Seattle doctor's advice on vaccinating children and babies, when the time comes
Children and teens under the age of 18 comprised 24% of the U.S. population in the last full census of 2010. Getting kids vaccinated is considered important in the race to achieve herd immunity, especially if significant numbers of adults opt-out.
“Until we can have a majority of those kids vaccinated and get that community immunity, we’re not going to receive that full protection in terms of immunity for the entire population,” said Dr. Elizabeth Meade, president of the Washington chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
How to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Washington
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released an online portal to check your eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine.
As of Wednesday, March 31, the state moved to Phase 1B, Tiers 3 and 4, which added the following qualifications for eligibility:
- Anyone age 16 and older with two or more diseases or medical conditions
- Anyone age 60 and older
- Anyone living or working in certain congregate settings (correctional facilities, group homes for those with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness, etc.)
- Additional high-risk critical workers in congregate settings (restaurants, manufacturing, construction)
If you are eligible, find a list of vaccine providers on the state's Vaccinate WA page and information on how to make an appointment.