Inslee statement on COVID booster expanded eligibility

Inslee statement on COVID booster expanded eligibility

Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statement Saturday as the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup confirmed actions taken by FDA and CDC to recommend boosters for all adults who received their initial course of COVID- 19 vaccine six or more months ago.

"The COVID vaccines continue to amaze me as a scientific success. The vaccine is the path out of the pandemic. I encourage everyone five years and older to get vaccinated - whether you are a child or adult getting their first vaccinate or a 50-year-old getting a booster, we can protect each other with this important step," Inslee said. "As we head into winter, we want to make sure to have as much protection against COVID as we can. We are seeing surging cases in other parts of the country, and we want to do what we can to prevent ourselves entering another COVID wave. Now that boosters are available to all adults, we hope everyone will take advantage of them. Protect yourself, your loved ones, your coworkers and your friends."

Support of High-Speed Rail Corridor with Oregon & B.C.

As part of the Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference, Inslee along with Gov. Kate Brown and Premier John Horgan, signed a memorandum of understanding to establish ultra-high-speed transportation as a priority in the region. The action took place last Tuesday (Nov. 16).

"The Cascadia Innovation Corridor reflects our shared belief that regional challenges and opportunities require regional solutions," Inslee said. "We know that exchanging ideas and entrepreneurship across borders will build our economies and improve our quality of life in Washington state, British Columbia, and Oregon. We intend to do just that with the memorandum of understanding that we signed earlier today. We will coordinate with our partners on pursuing federal funding for high-speed rail and engage communities throughout our region."

Inslee Tours Flood Impacts in Whatcom County, Pledges to Seek Federal Aid

This week Washington state has had at least 12 rivers flooding throughout the state, most heavily affecting counties in the northwest and southwest Washington, including Whatcom County. The most impacted communities in Whatcom County are Everson, Nooksack, and Sumas.

"The damage is significant," Inslee said last Wednesday. "We talked to families who recognize this community has been hit by the strong currents of the Nooksack River, but they have been saved by the strong currents of community strength we have seen from this community."