Inslee Warns of Delta Variant, ‘Vaccination Deserts’ as State Reaches 70% Goal

Washington State finally reached its 70% vaccination rate goal this week, roughly a dozen days after the state automatically opened.

Governor Jay Inslee said it's a time to celebrate, but also we need to understand there are vaccination 'deserts' in our state, with some counties as low as 31% vaccinated.

"It would be such a terrible result if we snatch defeat from the jaws of victory here." stated Inslee, "We have a relatively high vaccination rate and one of the lowest statewide infection rates in the United States. We are bring back our economy. Our restaurants are opening again, we're going back to ball games and then (we could) have certain counties end up causing these pockets of infection."

People who are not vaccinated will continue to be required to wear a mask when inside, and employers will be required by law to make sure that happens. Inslee added there have been no plans to further financially incentivize those that have yet to receive a vaccination. Instead, the state will focus on providing information and education to the unvaccinated.