covid vaccine

As we enter another respiratory virus season, specialists at UW Medicine say a surge in RSV cases among infants is expected to be less likely than in the past.

Public health officials in King County say increased cases of RSV, COVID and the flu combined with low vaccine numbers could cause challenges for local hospitals.

The once-critical white COVID-19 vaccination cards are being phased out. Vaccines are not being distributed by the federal government anymore, so the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stopped printing new cards.

Washington State employees will no longer be required to get a COVID-19 vaccination in order to keep their jobs.

King County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin says based on virus trends in Europe, a fall and winter COVID surge is likely for the Pacific Northwest after months of relatively low case levels.

Health officials in Washington's most populous county are urging people to get the new COVID-19 booster. Public Health – Seattle & King County's health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin said in a briefing Tuesday that even people who have had a booster shot should get all recommended doses for maximum protection.

The Novavax vaccine appears to be about 90% effective at preventing mild, moderate and severe COVID-19, Food and Drug Administration scientists say in an analysis of the company's data.

A state advisory group has decided against recommending a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for students in K-12 schools.

The Washington state House has dropped its requirement that lawmakers verify they are vaccinated and boosted in order to attend floor votes in the chamber, and starting Tuesday, the north gallery will reopen to a limited number of members of the public, who must be masked and maintain social distancing.

King County will no longer require COVID vaccination checks to enter restaurants, bars, theaters and gyms beginning March 1. Businesses, however, will be free to impose their own vaccination requirements if they choose, but there will be no countywide requirement.