Department of Health Provides COVID-19 Vaccine Update

The Washington State Department of Health provided an update on progress being made toward a COVD-19 vaccine.

According to the Department, four states and one city have been chosen to be pilot regions in the CDC's planning. Washington is not one of the pilot states, but will develop plans based on lessons learned from the pilot project.

When a vaccine is approved and released, the federal government will be in charge of prioritizing who will receive the limited amounts first. When Washington State gains access to the vaccine, essential workers, health care workers, and residents and workers at long-term care facilities have been identified as possible priorities. As the number of doses available increases, the state will then move to broader populations in a phased approach.

The department also added that while the federal government will cover the cost of the vaccine, healthcare providers may still charge a fee to administer the vaccine.