Navy commander loses job after refusing COVID-19 vaccine

Cmdr. Lucian Kins was relieved of his duties Friday as second in command of the USS Winston Churchill, a destroyer, by Navy Capt. Ken Anderson, commander of Naval Surface Squadron 14.

WHO warns omicron variant fears may set off hoarding of COVID-19 vaccines

The World Health Organization has expressed concerns that rich countries spooked by the emergence of the omicron variant could step up hoarding of COVID-19 vaccines.

FDA expands Pfizer COVID booster, 3rd dose available for 16 and 17 years olds
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The U.S. is expanding COVID-19 boosters, ruling that 16- and 17-year-olds can get a third dose of Pfizer's vaccine. The U.S. and many other nations already were urging adults to get booster shots to pump up immunity that can wane months after vaccination, calls that intensified with the discovery of the worrisome new omicron variant.

Pfizer COVID booster: FDA expands extra dose to people as young as age 16

The Food and Drug Administration has given emergency authorization for 16- and 17-year-olds to get a third dose of the vaccine made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech -- if it's been six months since their last shot.

Medicago's plant-based COVID-19 vaccine showing promising trial results, company says

Medicago announced Tuesday that its two-dose vaccine was 71% effective at preventing COVID-19 infection in a large, late-stage study that included several variants including the delta variant.

Local researchers study COVID-19 Omicron variant
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The COVID-19 Omicron variant has been detected in three Washington counties, and in more than 20 countries around the world?but we're now learning this variant may not be as dangerous as the Delta variant.

US to boost COVID-19 vaccine global distribution with $400M investment

“This money will speed efforts both to get shots in arms and to support vaccine manufacturing in low-and-middle-income countries,” USAID administrator Samantha Power announced Monday.

Omicron variant: Pfizer running ‘neutralization tests’ with its COVID-19 vaccine

Companies Pfizer and BioNTech are currently running tests in response to the rapidly spreading omicron variant with data likely available in the coming weeks.

Parts of King County seeing big demand for COVID booster, appointments hard to come by

On Thursday, Gov. Jay Inslee and state health officials announced a partnership with federal agencies that will create more access to vaccines as demand surges in some parts of Washington.

Omicron-specific vaccine testing underway: Moderna chairman responds to first omicron variant detected in US

Moderna chairman Noubar Afeyan joined "The Claman Countdown" Wednesday shortly after the first case of the omicron variant was reportedly detected in the U.S. to express concern for the nature of the new strand.

Dozens of Oregon workers fired for not getting COVID shot

Officials in Oregon say at least 99 state workers have been fired for failing to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

COVID vaccine verification digital record offered in WA

Washington state has started offering residents a digital record of their coronavirus vaccinations that can be used to access businesses and other places where vaccine proof is required.

COVID-19 vaccine makers exploring if omicron versions of shots are needed

Officials from Moderna and Pfizer are assessing their responses to the new COVID-19 variant omicron and say it will take months to develop a tweaked shot if needed.

Lawsuit filed over WA House’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for lawmakers

A handful of Republican state lawmakers and others are suing Democratic leaders and a House official over a plan that allows a limited number of lawmakers vaccinated for COVID-19 on the chamber floor during the upcoming legislative session.

White House: 92% of federal workers vaccinated under mandate with no apparent disruptions

On Tuesday, one day after the deadline for compliance, 92% of the 3.5 million federal workers covered by Biden’s mandate reported to the government that they are at least partially vaccinated, according to White House officials.

Union argues Sea-Tac Airport faces staffing shortage from vaccine mandate

A local union says Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is facing a staffing shortage due to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, and may impact public safety during the busy holiday season.