What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines in Washington Friday – KING5.com

Here's what you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines in Washington state on Friday, March 26.

Vaccine hesitancy is the next big issue in Washington's fight against COVID-19

As COVID-19 vaccine supplies are expected to ramp up in the state, Washington will shift focus to a new problem: people refusing to get vaccinated.

I am terribly concerned about that, and everyone in public health is concerned about that as well, said state Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah.

Approximately 21% of Washingtonians don't want the COVID-19 vaccine or are unsure if they want it, according to the IHME.

Still, Washington state has less hesitancy than most other states.

New study aims to find out if COVID-19 vaccines prevent transmission

A new study involving thousands of college students in the United States aims to determine whether someone can still carry and transmit thecoronavirusafter theyve received ModernasCOVID-19 vaccine.

The COVID-19 Prevention Network (CoVPN), headquartered at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, announced the Prevent COVID U study Friday. The study will involve monitoring an estimated 12,000 students ages 18-26 at 21 universities across the U.S. over a five-month period.

The Prevent COVID U study is designed to determine if Modernas vaccine can prevent symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 infection, limit the virus in the nose and reduce transmission of the virus from a vaccinated person to their close contacts.

VERIFY: Will chemotherapy limit effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine?

People with cancer should consult their personal physician and oncologist. But, in general, anyone with cancer should still get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, doctors say.

Doctors say that experience with other infectious diseases has shown that chemotherapy could reduce or eliminate that immunity from the vaccine. But there's still a chance of having at least partial immunity.

That means, while chemotherapy might limit the vaccine's effectiveness, there is still a reason to get it. And because people fighting cancer are at high risk, they will not be depriving it from someone who needs it more.

'Loophole' allowed ineligible people to get COVID-19 vaccine in Washington

Some people in Washington who are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine have been able to bypass the process by accessing a web appointment link intended for people signing up for their second dose, according to public health departments in the state.

The Washington Department of Health confirmed that such instances have been seen in the state and are highly discouraged.

How to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Washington

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released an online portal to check your eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine. Use the Phase Finder tool to input personal information like age, health conditions and essential worker status to determine if it's your turn.

As of March 17, Washington is in Phase 1B, tier 2 of vaccination. Eligible people include:

If you are eligible, find a list of vaccine providers on the DOH website and information on how to make an appointment.

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What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines in Washington Friday - KING5.com