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What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines in Washington Wednesday

State Department of Health officials are updating the public on efforts to combat the COVID-19 virus.

Washington State University

WSU said it will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for students engaging in activities on campus. 

Exemptions will be allowed for medical, religious and personal reasons, according to the website

Students whose programs are fully online and/or for which an on‑campus/location presence does not occur are automatically exempted from this requirement, according to the new guidelines. More on COVID requirements


Adolescents are reporting similar adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines as adults

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine next week for kids ages 12 to 15, according to news reports. A lot of questions are popping up about the side effects those children could face. 

Adolescents are reporting similar adverse reactions as young adults, but some reported more severe symptoms. Read more

US approves waiving intellectual property rules on vaccines

The Biden administration is throwing its support behind efforts to waive intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines in an effort to speed the end of the pandemic.

United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced the government's position in a Wednesday statement, amid World Trade Organization talks over easing global trade rules to enable more countries to produce more of the life-saving vaccines. Read more


Washington Department of Health to offer Uber, Lyft codes to vaccine appointments

The Washington state Department of Health (DOH) is partnering with Lyft and Uber to get people to their vaccine appointments. 

Starting Monday, May 10, people who are resource-constrained can call in to the Department of Health's vaccine hotline, 833-VAX-HELP, and get a code to use for a free ride to a vaccine appointment through Lyft and Uber.

Read more

With vaccines key to reopening in Washington state, there's a push to overcome hesitancy

Though several Washington counties squeaked by Tuesday without a reversion to Phase 2 COVID restrictions, Governor Jay Inslee said there is work to do to prevent rollbacks in the coming weeks.

After much speculation that King, Snohomish and other counties that have failed Phase 3 metrics would revert Tuesday, Inslee announced a two-week phase pause as officials determine if the “fourth wave” of coronavirus cases has plateaued.

Read more

Children ages 12 to 15 could soon be eligible for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine

Children as young as 12 could start receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as soon as next week. Pfizer has asked the federal government for emergency use authorization of its vaccine for kids age 12 and older. The Pfizer vaccine is already authorized for people age 16 and older.

Clinical trials show Pfizer’s vaccine is safe and 100% effective for kids ages 12 to 15. The Biden administration said if the vaccine is approved, the government is ready to ship the vaccine to 20,000 pharmacies and pediatricians.

Read more

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:

LIST: Mass COVID-19 vaccine sites in western Washington

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