COVID vaccine recommendation from Public Health

Public Health – Seattle & King County recommends COVID vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older, including pregnant individuals. Dr. Eric Chow, Chief of Communicable Disease Epidemiology & Immunization, emphasized the importance of vaccination in preventing severe illness and long COVID. He raised concerns about the risks faced by unvaccinated individuals, particularly those with underlying health conditions. Since the height of the pandemic, community immunity has increased through vaccinations and previous infections, but unvaccinated individuals remain vulnerable.

Chow highlighted that the safety and efficacy of COVID vaccines are supported by almost five years of data and decades of research. Vaccination is crucial for protecting not only individuals but also the broader community. The ongoing recommendation underscores the persistent health risks associated with COVID-19. Continued vaccination efforts will be essential to mitigate severe health outcomes related to the virus.