Washington State Surpasses 5,000 COVID-19 Deaths

The Washington State Department of Health reported an additional 24 coronavirus deaths Wednesday, bringing the total to 5,012, and the percent of deaths among total cases to 1.5%. King County’s deaths have hit 1,406.

Health officials have reported 799 new infections, bringing us to 342,236 total cases in the state. We are at a 7% positivity rate, 81% ICU capacity, and we’ve administered 1,760,668 vaccines.

Expanded Vaccine Eligibility in King County

Public Health’s Kent and Auburn community vaccination sites have expanded eligibility to include adults age 65 and older. The two sites will begin providing vaccination to people 65 and older starting today Monday, March 1. The sites will continue to provide vaccination for adults who require home care, and their caregivers.

At this time, registration is open to residents of south King County who are:

• Age 65 and older OR

• A caregiver or home care worker taking care of someone age 50 or older who cannot live independently. The caregiver or home care worker does not need to be 50 or older

• Specific groups of people age 50 and older. Those who are:

- Unable to live independently and receiving care from a caregiver, relative, in-home caregiver or someone who works outside the home.

- Living with AND caring for kin (examples include caring for a grandchild, niece or nephew. This does not include parents living with their child.)

The Kent and Auburn COVID-19 vaccine sites are open Monday through Saturday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM. Vaccinations are by appointment only. Residents can register for an appointment at Public Health’s vaccine website. 

City of Seattle Vaccine Stand By List

The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) Mobile Vaccination Teams (MVT) host daily COVID-19 vaccination events for our most vulnerable community members. At the end of each day there are usually between two-three vaccine doses that must be used immediately. In order to ensure we use all of our doses, the City has created a standby list for community members who are 65 and older and live in ZIP codes most disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Community members who are eligible for the standby list will need to meet the MVTs at a fixed location within 30 minutes of being notified. Only members of the public who are 65 and older and live in ZIP codes most impacted by COVID-19 can register for these standby appointments. 

At around 4:30 p.m. each day, the City of Seattle will send out an Alert Seattle text message to some or all individuals on our standby list notifying them that there are unused COVID-19 vaccine doses. If you have not received your first dose of the vaccine and you are able to make it to the location within 30 minutes, open the link in the text message and click "YES". If standby appointments remain available, you will then be directed to a confirmation screen and you will need to immediately depart to meet the MVTs. Your second dose will be scheduled upon your arrival. You can register for standby here.

Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Authorized by U.S. FDA For Emergency Use 

The United States is getting our third coronavirus vaccine this time it is from Johnson & Johnson. The US Food and Drug Administration has given the vaccine emergency use authorization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended it, and the federal government started distribution almost immediately. Johnson & Johnson has begun shipping nearly 4 million doses of its newly authorized COVID-19 vaccine across the U.S. today with the first shots being administered within 48 hours, officials said Monday, the company is committed to delivering 100 million doses by June and "up to a billion" by the end of 2021.

Because of the addition of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, President Biden announced we will now have enough to vaccinate every adult in America by the end of May. Its too early to say if that will actually be the case, a lot of local governments are still struggling to administer their current supply due to logistic and technological issues.

How is it different from the two vaccines we currently have? 

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine is a Single Dose, Travels and is Stored Easier

The first most obvious distinction between the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and the others made by Moderna and Pfizer is that the J&J vaccine is just one dose that does not require sub-zero temperatures for preservation. The J&J vaccine is an adenovirus-vased vaccine. Adenovirus-based vaccines are more rugged than mRNA vaccines (like the ones from Pfizer and Moderna). This is because adenovirus-based vaccines use double-stranded DNA which is not as fragile as RNA, also the adenovirus’s tough protein coat helps protect the genetic material inside. As a result, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be refrigerated for up to three months at 36–46° and the administrators have to worry less about it being shaken (MRNA Vaccines requires exactly 10 even turns of the vile for mixing). The New York Times does a great job breaking down the nitty gritty details of the differences.

The Efficacy is Slightly Lower but Still Really Great

The overall global efficacy of the J&J vaccine is 66% against moderate to severe illness, 85% effective against severe disease and so far 100% effective at preventing death. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are 94% & 95% effective against symptomatic COVID-19 infections and also 100% effective at preventing death. All approved vaccines currently offer “complete protection” against a severe case of COVID-19. Experts note the J&J vaccine has been tested in situations with our more aggressive strains of the virus compared to what the Moderna/Pfizer vaccine were tested on which can skew the results. 

Protection is Faster

The J&J vaccine protects you faster at just 2 weeks after the dose, while the other two vaccines on the market are not effective until 2 weeks after the second dose, making it 4 and 6 weeks until the protective properties are fully in place. A common drawback with andenoviral-based vaccines is that they often require frequent boosters for effectiveness. 

All Vaccines Are Fine for People with Allergies and Compromised Immune Systems

Although they utilize different vaccine technology, the existing vaccines and the new J&J vaccine are both completely safe for people with allergies and compromised immune systems. 

In a new video released by the White House, Dr. Anthony Fauci says he would "definitely" take the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

 CORONAVIRUS UPDATE SHOW WITH CONVERGE MEDIA

Join Omari Salisbury and Producer Nikki as they bring you the latest COVID-19 news from the Pacific Northwest. Watch past episodes on our Youtube channel or listen as a podcast on your favorite podcast platform.