WA Approves 6 To Distribute Coronavirus Vaccine, More Pending

OLYMPIA, WA — An effective coronavirus vaccine could still be months away, but Washington state already has six providers cleared to distribute that vaccine when it does come.

The Washington State Department of Health issued an update to their vaccine distribution program Thursday, confirming that they had approved six providers to administer any upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. The state did not clarify which six clinics had received approval, but hundreds more will likely join the six before the vaccine is released: 369 applications to administer the vaccine are still being processed. The state says they want as many clinics, pharmacies and doctor's offices as possible to apply to become vaccine administration sites, so that the vaccine can be distributed widely across the state when it is released.

In the same update, health officials expressed optimism that researchers are drawing closer to developing a safe, effective vaccine:

This week we heard encouraging news about a second COVID-19 vaccine candidate. We are excited that there are potentially two very effective vaccines close to being ready for approval.

Both pharmaceutical companies developing these vaccines are indicating strong vaccine effectiveness among participants in Phase 3 clinical trials. One of the companies has announced they will apply for Emergency Use Authorization through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Once the vaccine is approved at the federal level, Washington has entered a pact with several other western states to perform an independent review to ensure the vaccine's safety before it is distributed.

As for how the vaccine will be distributed when it arrives, the state's plan is still in development. State health leaders say they hope to have their vaccine distribution plan ready for approval from the Centers For Disease Control in the next few weeks. The state submitted their first draft of the plan to the CDC in late October, and while the full text is not available to the public health officials have given a rough outline of the actions included in their plan.

Provider and public health actions

• The state will identify critical and disproportionately impacted communities to receive the vaccine.
• Identify which providers should offer COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Train those providers on vaccine storage, handling and administration, as well as reminder and recall techniques and vaccine promotion.
• Gather vaccine administration data.

Community actions

• Support the distribution of vaccine in phases.
• Gather feedback from communities that are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 or at higher risk for the disease.
• Conduct outreach and education in a what that is equitable and fair.
• Build trust and confidence in the vaccine in Washington's communities.
• Provide accurate safety information on the vaccine.
• Promote COVID-19 vaccination for everyone who qualifies to receive the vaccine.

The state says they are unsure how many doses of the vaccine Washington will receive once it is approved for distribution. Because it will likely not be enough to vaccinate everyone, the state says their plan will prioritize vaccinations for essential workers, health care workers, and workers and residents at long-term care facilities.

Read more from the Washington State Department of Health on their interim vaccine distribution plan.