Source: kingcounty.gov
By Ava Gonzalez/UW News Lab
Despite the current low totals of COVID-19 and flu cases, health officials are warning against complacency as Seattle approaches peak respiratory virus season and a 7 million milestone fo total COVID-19 vaccine doses in King County since the start of the pandemic.
“While current COVID and flu cases are low, these numbers can be misleading as we head into the peak of the year’s illness season,” said Amy Xie, a CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer assigned to Seattle/King County Public Health. “The important message here is to not let our guard down.”
Since its release in late August, just under 7% of King County residents (approximately 162,000 people) have received the most recent vaccine, but recent count data of COVID-19 vaccination among residents shows a probable increase in numbers as the respiratory virus season approaches.
“The CDC recommends both the flu and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time for eligible people,” said Jessica A. Bender, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington and Co-Medical Director of the UW Long COVID Clinic. “We have seen over the last few years that this is very safe and effective, and it can be more convenient for people to avoid multiple trips to the doctor or pharmacy.”
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King County revised its monthly testing and routine vaccination schedules with “Back-to-School” and “Care-a-van” clinics, along with additional COVID-19 testing and respiratory immunization information, making it easier for residents to access these resources. Additionally, the Washington State Department of Health is currently running outreach for two COVID-related campaigns, CuidateWA and TakeCareWA, in King County and throughout the state for more public awareness, said John Doyle, a Public Information Officer for the state DOH.
“They are running across a variety of print, radio, digital channels and community-owned media in 31 languages,” Doyle said.
King County data shows a gradual decline in COVID-19 diagnosed emergency department visits since late August. Over the past four years, this data shows a predictable COVID-19 pattern: emergency room visits typically rise in late fall and winter. Normally, in December, those visits go above 2.9%; this is the level that prompts hospitals in the county to start enforcing masking measures, Xie said. However, this past winter, the peak hit 2.86% right after the new year.
As of October 2024, COVID-19 makes up only 1.41% of those visits, which is the lowest for this time of year since October 2020, before widespread reopening began, according to this same data.
To continue slowing the spread of COVID-19, mask in settings with vulnerable individuals, maintain a healthy lifestyle, ensure proper airflow, and see a health provider or take an at-home test when sick, Xie said. Beginning in September, the federal government started offering households four free COVID-19 tests that can be delivered right to your door.
There are three types of COVID-19 vaccines available in the US: mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech) and a protein-based vaccine (Novavax), according to the FDA.
“Just like the influenza virus, COVID-19 can be sneaky. It continues to change over time and develops new ways to get around our immune system,” said Eric Chow, the Chief of Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Immunization within the Prevention Division for King County Public Health in a question and answer session in August. “The updated vaccines help your body fight these newer strains.”
About 1 in 5 King County residents over 80 years old have received the updated vaccine, according to the current snapshot of 2024-2025 vaccine coverage. For kids under 18, only about 2 or 3 out of every 100 have gotten the updated vaccine.
The state DOH warns that “anyone, regardless of age, infected with COVID-19 can develop Long COVID symptoms,” as younger individuals with mild infections can still experience long-term effects. An additional study found that unvaccinated people who have recovered from COVID-19 can lower their risk of developing Long COVID by getting vaccinated.
“Long COVID can occur in anyone who has had acute COVID-19 illness, including people with mild infections, who were previously healthy and are vaccinated,” Bender said. “The only way we know how to prevent Long COVID at this time is to prevent acute COVID-19 illness, which is why vaccination and other precautions are still so important.”
COVID-19 vaccines in Washington state are covered by insurance plans, free for children under 19 through the Childhood Vaccine Program and are available at low cost for uninsured or underinsured adults through the Adult Vaccine Program, according to the state DOH.
“We tell residents ‘don’t take it for yourself, take it for others, those who are vulnerable that you come in contact with,’” said Doyle.
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I had to cancel my vaccination due to a virus. You can’t do this soon enough.