VERIFY: AstraZeneca still recommended and being tested as blood clot reports are investigated
Several countries have temporarily halted distribution of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine until claims about potential blood clotting side effects are investigated. There have been roughly 30 reported cases out of nearly 5 million administered doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines.
The European Medicines Agency said it will conclude its investigation on Thursday and determine if any further action needs to be taken. While the EMA has been optimistic thus far, we can’t conclusively determine whether the AZ vaccine is contributing to blood clots until that investigation concludes.
While the AZ vaccine is undergoing clinical trials in the United States for approval, it is not currently approved for use in the U.S.
Hospitality workers petition for COVID-19 vaccine eligibility in Washington
Some hospitality workers are petitioning to become eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations in Washington state.
An online petition organized by the Seattle Restaurant Alliance and the Washington Hospitality Association is an attempt to get the state to include restaurant workers in the next phase of the COVID-19 vaccination plan.
Sweden is latest country to stop using AstraZeneca vaccine
Sweden on Tuesday became the latest country to pause use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine as European regulators review safety data following reports of dangerous blood clots in some recipients.
The company and international regulators continue to say the vaccine is safe, however, and many countries elsewhere in the world are forging ahead with their vaccination campaigns.
Moderna begins COVID-19 vaccine trial for young children
Drugmaker Moderna announced on Tuesday it has kicked off a mid-to-late stage COVID-19 vaccine trial for children under the age of 12.
The company said in a press release that the first participants in its Phase 2/3 study, called the KidCOVE study, have been given their first dose. The goal is to test if the vaccine candidate would protect children ages 6 months to less than 12 years from getting sick with COVID-19.
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 3, Washington is vaccinating people in Phase 1A and the first tier of Phase 1B. That includes:
- High-risk health care workers and first responders
- Long-term care residents
- People 65 years old and older
- People 50 years old and older in multigenerational households
- Teachers, school staff and childcare workers
If you are eligible, find a list of vaccine providers on the DOH website and information on how to make an appointment.