Health

One year later, millions use WA Notify to stop the spread of COVID-19

December 2, 2021 By Northwest Asian Weekly

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is celebrating a successful year of WA Notify, the state’s exposure notification app. More than 2.62 million people have enabled it—accounting for more than 43% of all smartphone users in the state.

Get protected by the holidays

November 24, 2021 By Northwest Asian Weekly

In a virtual media briefing on Nov. 18, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy spoke about the FDA’s and CDC’s authorization and recommendation for pediatric vaccines for kids ages 5 through 11.

Vin Gupta: UW professor, NBC contributor on communication

November 18, 2021 By Northwest Asian Weekly

By Mahlon Meyer Northwest Asian Weekly Finally, the death threats have stopped. For most of 2020 and until a new administration came in, Vin Gupta regularly received not only threats but even unmarked packages to his home. Gupta, who is a leading health policy analyst for NBC and MSNBC, has always tried to remain apolitical. […]

COVID-19 vaccines for children arriving in WA

November 11, 2021 By Northwest Asian Weekly

By Mahlon Meyer Northwest Asian Weekly The woman’s voice on the phone was eager, intent, and even breathy in its desire to help. “We have nurses that can answer questions, too,” she said. The call center, run by King County, for help with scheduling COVID-19 vaccinations is the latest sign of a pandemic response that […]

UW Medicine COVID-19 vaccine study a factor in mix-and-match decision

November 4, 2021 By Northwest Asian Weekly

Results from a UW Medicine COVID-19 vaccine mix-and-match study were reviewed by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) panel ahead of the group’s decision to authorize mixing and matching of booster shots late last month. “[The] data that we have today shows that it is safe, and also effective at creating a strong […]

Local radiation oncologist shares insights on prostate cancer

November 4, 2021 By Northwest Asian Weekly

As we begin Movember, an annual event to raise awareness for men’s health issues, Dr. Jonathan Chen shared some insights on how men can watch out for prostate cancer.

Can you get a COVID-19 booster shot?

November 4, 2021 By Northwest Asian Weekly

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidelines about who is currently eligible for COVID-19 vaccine boosters. A booster shot is an additional dose of a vaccine given after the protection provided by the original shot(s) has begun to decrease over time.

Umair Shah fights personal and public health calamities

October 21, 2021 By Northwest Asian Weekly

Here is a man who has taken on the burdens of many. And despite the chaos around him manages to remain composed and on task. Umair Shah tells the story of his life despite repeated interruptions, and he models the kind of calm intensity that Washingtonians have become familiar with since he took over as secretary of the department of health in December 2020.

Family courage drives UW researcher in COVID research

October 14, 2021 By Northwest Asian Weekly

Helen Chu is known as the UW Medicine researcher who stood up to the federal government to identify the first COVID-19 victims in the United States.

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster dose recommended for some

October 7, 2021 By Northwest Asian Weekly

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has begun offering booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to certain individuals following recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices, and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. At least six months after completing the primary Pfizer vaccine series, […]