US lifts pause on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccinations
U.S. health officials lifted an 11-day pause on COVID-19 vaccinations using Johnson & Johnson's single-dose shot on Friday, after scientific advisers decided its benefits outweigh a rare risk of blood clot.
The government uncovered 15 vaccine recipients who developed a highly unusual kind of blood clot, out of nearly 8 million people given the J&J shot. All were women, most under age 50. Three of the women died, and seven remain hospitalized.
CDC funds BIPOC vaccination effort in Seattle's Central District
Efforts to vaccinate black, indigenous and people of color are popping up in neighborhoods all across western Washington.
Seattle's Central District neighborhood will have a pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Emerald City Community Seventh Day Adventist Church on Sunday.
Kerry Holifield, program director for the Center for MultiCultural Health in Seattle said Sunday's clinic was made possible because of funding from the CDC's "Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health" program.
Not enough people are vaccinated in Washington to slow fourth wave spread
Immunity from vaccination and prior infection is helping control the spread of COVID-19, but it isn’t enough to counteract behavior choices, according to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH).
“Vaccination is working, but immunity isn’t high enough yet to combat increasing disease levels,” Acting State Health Officer Scott Lindquist said in a statement. “All of us, including people who are fully vaccinated, need to keep taking steps to slow the spread while we vaccinate more people.”
Washington volunteer group helps minorities, those with fewer resources find a COVID-19 vaccine
A 52,000-member Facebook group that has helped thousands of people in Washington find a COVID-19 vaccine appointment is beginning to see a shift in the demand for the vaccine as more people get vaccinated.
"As we've vaccinated so many people in the state, sure there's been sort of a tipping of the scale of supply and demand. And, you know, I think that's a really good thing," said Steve, who is a volunteer for the Facebook group, "Find a COVID Shot WA."
Pierce County works to dispel vaccine hesitancy as vaccinations slow down
As Pierce County works to bring COVID-19 cases down, a concerning trend has emerged: a lag in people coming to clinics to get vaccinated.
"What we’re seeing is that it’s taking longer for our events to get people registered from them," said Mike Halliday of Pierce County Emergency Management. "After people have gotten vaccinated, that initial rush seems to have stalled a little bit. We’re still encouraging people to register, so they can sign up and get a vaccine, but we are seeing that pace slow a bit."
How to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Washington
Everyone in Washington state aged 16 and over is eligible for the vaccine.
Find a list of vaccine providers on the state's Vaccinate WA page and information on how to make an appointment.
Pfizer is the only vaccine approved for people 16 and 17 years old, and the state is working to update its Vaccine Locator with information about which vaccine is offered at each location.
Several health care providers allow people to join waiting lists for the vaccine, and they will contact you when doses are available. Join the waiting list for:
- City of Seattle mass vaccine sites
- Virginia Mason
- UW Medicine: Call (844) 520-8700