COVID-19 vaccine supply could get big boost in March, Washington health officials say
Next month, it could be easier to get a COVID-19 vaccine for those eligible. State health leaders said in a press conference Thursday that more vaccines are on their way to our state, increasing the supply significantly by mid-March.
This week the state was allocated 260,000 doses. Next week we’re expected to get 280,000 doses, for an increase of 20,000. Next month looks even better. By mid-March, the state is predicting upwards of 310,000 doses a week.
Pfizer COVID vaccine no longer needs ultra-cold temperatures, FDA says
U.S. regulators are allowing Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to be shipped and stored at less-frigid temperatures, which should ease distribution and administration of one of the two vaccines authorized for emergency use in the country.
The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that it’s allowing the additional option after reviewing new data from New York-based Pfizer and its German partner, BioNTech.
20 million Americans have gotten both COVID vaccine doses
More than 50 million single doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered since President Biden took office five weeks ago, well ahead of the goal he set to vaccinate 100 million Americans in his first 100 days of office.
“We’re halfway there: 50 million shots in 37 days," Biden said. "That’s weeks ahead of schedule."
VaccineFinder: New tool aims to show where COVID-19 shots are available
The process of tracking down where COVID-19 vaccines are available could soon get a little easier, thanks to a tool backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The goal of VaccineFinder.org is to make it easier for the public to find information about locations that carry vaccines in their communities and how to make an appointment. The website also gives vaccine providers an outlet to report if they are still stocked with the coronavirus vaccine or not.
Moderna has created COVID-19 vaccine to battle South African variant
Moderna announced Wednesday it has brewed experimental doses of its COVID-19 vaccine that better match a mutated version of the virus, ready for tests to tell how the update works.
Health authorities say first-generation COVID-19 vaccines still protect against variants of the virus that are emerging in different parts of the world. But in case the vaccines eventually need to be updated, manufacturers are working on how to tweak their recipes.
No set timeline for when Washington will reach herd immunity to COVID-19
Herd immunity from COVID-19 in Washington state is a long way away.
Some experts believe that at least 70% of the population needs to build resistance to COVID-19 to reach herd immunity, and vaccines are the safe way to reach that. But Washington is far from that mark.
Only about 12.9% of our state’s total population has received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
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. Use the Phase Finder tool to input personal information like age, health conditions and essential worker status to determine if it's your turn.
As of Jan. 18, Washington is vaccinating people in Phase 1A and the first tier of Phase 1B. That includes:
- High-risk health care workers and first responders
- Long-term care residents
- People 65 years old and older
- People 50 years old and older in multigenerational households
If you are eligible, find a list of vaccine providers on the DOH website and information on how to make an appointment.
