Getting vaccinated is more important than ever

When you’re exposed to COVID-19 today in King County, it’s most likely that you’re being exposed to a highly contagious variant of the virus. Of the recent COVID-19 test samples genetically sequenced in King County, about 90 percent represent a variant of concern and not the original strain of the virus, and about 60 percent of these are the Delta variant. This is concerning because the Delta variant is so contagious. The large majority of recent cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are among unvaccinated residents. Almost 95 percent of recent hospitalizations and deaths… Read More

Stay home when you’re sick or have symptoms

There is an increase in COVID-19 cases among county employees, reflecting the rise in cases in the community. You can help slow the spread of COVID-19 at work by staying home when you’re sick, even if your symptoms are mild. COVID-19 symptoms may include but are not limited to fever or chills, a cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. Vaccinated people can still get COVID and unintentionally spread it,… Read More

The key dates to start your vaccine schedule

All King County Executive branch employees must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, 2021, and there are some important dates you need to know to meet this requirement. We’ve put together a short 90-second video that outlines the key dates for the three approved vaccines – Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson – and when you’ll need to start the vaccine schedule to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, 2021. Watch the video below:

What are the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine?

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is not only important in protecting you from contracting the virus, but you are also helping to protect your family, friends, co-workers, and customers, especially those who may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and those who cannot be vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccination will help you from getting sick or seriously ill with COVID-19. It helps protect you by teaching your body’s immune system to fight the virus without having to experience a COVID-19 infection. In the clinical trials, the COVID-19 vaccines that are currently available… Read More

Getting vaccinated has never been easier

All King County Executive branch employees must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, 2021, and there are many options for getting vaccinated in your community or at work. No appointment is needed at many community locations, and most pharmacies, clinics, and Public Health centers now offer drop-in COVID-19 vaccination.  Vaccination is available regardless of insurance, citizenship, or immigration status. You will not be billed or charged for vaccination. COVID-19 vaccine is always free. Because obtaining the vaccination is mandatory, employees will be paid for the time spent getting the COVID-19 vaccine. This… Read More

How to make sure you are fully vaccinated by Oct. 18

All King County Executive branch employees must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, 2021. Oct. 4 is the last opportunity to get vaccinated to meet the Oct. 18 deadline. To meet this requirement, employees must: Receive their second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the first shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, by Oct. 4, 2021, and Provide verified proof of vaccination by Oct. 18, 2021 Make sure you know when you need to start your vaccine schedule in order to meet the Oct. 18 requirement: If you opt for the… Read More

Get vaccinated against COVID-19 at pop-up clinics

King County employees and family members age 12 years or older can get vaccinated at one of several upcoming pop-up vaccine clinics hosted by King County.  We’re pleased to partner with two vaccinator firms, Discovery Health and Pliable, to provide the clinics. All three vaccine types – Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson – will be available at each clinic.  If you’ll be getting a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, remember to bring along the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card that you received when you got your first dose. Walk-ins are… Read More

All employees and visitors must wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status

All people are required to wear masks when indoors in all King County buildings, facilities, structures, and vehicles, effective Tuesday, August 17. The directive applies to employees and all persons entering county facilities including all members of the public, contractors, volunteers, and others entering county facilities. King County’s employee mask policy is updated as follows: If you are working indoors or in an enclosed space with others (for example, multiple people in a vehicle) you must wear a mask whether or not you have been fully vaccinated. If you are working outdoors, regardless of… Read More

How to get your vaccination status verified

King County will require all employees to be fully vaccinated, effective Oct. 18, 2021, and you have a couple of options for providing proof of vaccination for verification. To have your vaccination status verified, you can: Initiate the COVID-19 Vaccination Declaration process through your NEOGOV Dashboard (click on Dashboard > Forms > COVID-19 Vaccination Declaration) and attaching a copy of an official document (see list below), OR Show one of the following to an HR professional or other designated department representative: your actual vaccination card, or a photo or a copy of it, a copy of… Read More

King County to require all employees to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, 2021

by Dow Constantine, King County Executive I know we are all eager for this pandemic to be over so we can get back to the things we love doing without restrictions or anxiety. However, COVID-19 is a novel foe, and it continues to adapt, evolve, and thwart our efforts to return to engaging with others safely. As such, we need to adapt and evolve if we are to defeat it. Following the actions of many other public and private employers, King County will now require all employees to be fully vaccinated, effective Oct…. Read More