Help is on the way for counties in Washington as the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available. | Stock Photo
Help is on the way for counties in Washington as the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available. | Stock Photo
Gov. Jay Inslee said the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines are arriving in Washington, a potential reprieve for the state.
“It cannot come soon enough — with Washington closing in on 200,000 total COVID cases and approaching 3,000 deaths – this help is much needed to prevent further infection, hospitalization and loss of life,” Inslee said in a press conference, posted on the Washington Governor's website.
The FDA-approved Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was recently reviewed and approved by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup.
“After looking at all of the available data, our workgroup unanimously agreed that at this time the benefits of this vaccine greatly exceed any theoretical risks,” workgroup member John Dunn said in the release posted on the Governor’s website. “I personally am reassured by the safety profile and look forward to being vaccinated as soon as I am eligible.”
Inslee is encouraging Washingtonians to continue to socially distance and wear masks as the state begins to administer the vaccines.
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