Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Health care workers, elderly and tribes to get shots first
OLYMPIA – Health care workers in the state could start receiving a Wuhan coronavirus vaccine as early as Tuesday.
During a press conference this morning, Sunday, Dec. 13, Gov. Jay Inslee said doses of a vaccine should arrive Monday, Dec. 14.
“I’m thrilled that Washington state has now authorized the vaccine,” the governor said.
According to the governor, the states of California, Oregon and Washington created their own Western States Working Group comprising 17 members to review the vaccine.
“I fully agree with FDA’s decision to authorize the use of this vaccine,” state Health Officer Kathy Lofy said during the press conference. “The benefits of this vaccine far outweigh any risks.”
Both Lofy and Gov. Inslee said they will get the vaccine.
But health care workers will get the vaccine first, followed by seniors in long-term care facilities. The governor said the third group to receive the vaccine are American Indian tribes.
“We now can begin to use this vaccine against this virus,” Gov. Inslee said, noting that it will be used in conjunction with both mask-wearing and social distancing.
“Having this vaccine is just tremendous news for our state,” he said. “It marks a turning point in this disease.”
The press conference was ongoing when this story was posted.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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