The Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration ends May 11, 2023. What does this mean for you? 

When the COVID-19 pandemic first began here in the US, the federal government put in place special emergency declarations that allowed them to rapidly respond to the spread of COVID-19 as well as addressing financial barriers to COVID-19-related care. On May 11, 2023, the Federal Public Health Emergency Declaration ends, which means there will be changes to how some people receive COVID-19-related care, like testing, treatment, and vaccines. 

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Video: Dr. Jeff Duchin’s COVID-19 press briefing – August 5, 2021

Image of a graphic advertising media briefing today. Left side is gray with black text, which fades into an image of Dr. Jeff Duchin, Public Health's Local Health Officer. Dr. Duchin is speaking into a microphone and is wearing a black jacket with a blue button-up. Picture was taken during one of the early media briefings of the pandemic. The text on the left side says: August 5, 2021 COVID-19 UPDATE with Dr. Jeff Duchin @ 11:00 AM A briefing on COVID-19 trends and vaccine distribution in King County. Public Health logo is in bottom left corner.

This virus is significantly nastier than previous COVID-19 viruses, and it’s challenging us in new ways. The bottom line: vaccines offer excellent protection against hospitalization and death from Delta. But if you aren’t vaccinated, you are more likely to be infected, hospitalized or die from COVID-19. 

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COVID-19 cases increasing in King County: Vaccination continues to be our best protection

With COVID-19 cases on the rise again in King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County now recommends that all residents five years of age and older, regardless of vaccination status, wear face coverings in indoor public settings. This extra layer of protection will help us all stay safer, including those who are unvaccinated, such as the 300,000 children in King County who aren’t able to get vaccinated yet, and the many thousands of people who have immune systems that are weakened or suppressed.

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Roll Down Your Window, Roll Up Your Sleeve: Free Drive-Thru Vaccination Clinics and More Vaccination Opportunities

There’s never been a more important time to make sure you and the people you love are protected from disease. Especially as flu season approaches, keeping up to date on vaccinations is one of the best ways you can stay safe, healthy, and far from the hospital during the COVID pandemic. And now you can get vaccinated without having to step out of your car!

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