Cancer patients await eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine in Washington
Currently in Washington, cancer alone is not a qualifier for the vaccine. The states tells KING 5 it will be in Phase 2. Author: Kaila Lafferty (KING5) Updated: 8:01 PM PST March 9, 2021
SEATTLE The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists cancer as one of the conditions putting people at increased risk of severe cases of COVID-19.
Experts say the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for most people battling cancer. But not all patients will get access to it right away.
Currently, in Washington state, cancer alone is not a qualifier for the vaccine. In Phase 1B Tier 3, which the state predicts will begin in mid-April, people 50 and older with two underlying health conditions will be eligible, but cancer only counts as one.