The Department of Health (DOH) issued a COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order authorizing health care providers to administer the most updated versions of the COMIRNATY, MNEXSPIKE, SPIKEVAX and NUVAXOVID COVID-19 vaccines to all persons aged 6 months and older, including pregnant individuals. 

Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority is continuing to solicit Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) input through September 26 at 5:00 pm Pacific time. Written comments are limited to 10 pages or less. Slides or other formats are welcome. Specifically, they want to meet the needs of Washington's rural communities:  

  • Projects with an implementation plan that are ready to launch soon  
  • Input about community needs and regional trends  
  • Recommendations for leveraging RHTP funds  
  • Initiatives to transform rural health care delivery  
  • Opportunities to support workforce, infrastructure and technology  

Finally in Washington, Gov. Bob Ferguson (D) joined the Oregon, Hawaii and California governors known as the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA), announced coordinated winter virus vaccination recommendations to include the 2025–26 COVID-19 vaccine, influenza and RSV. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.