covid vaccine

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.

The King County Library System and Public Health—Seattle & King County are partnering to increase access to and availability of COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots.

Starbucks says its U.S. workers must be fully vaccinated by Feb. 9 or face a weekly COVID testing requirement.

Dr. Jeff Duchin says the omicron variant is worth paying attention to — and local health officials certainly are. But he urges people to slow down and not succumb to panic and speculation about the latest iteration of the coronavirus.