FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2021
CONTACT:
Heather Thomas, 425.508.4980
hthomas@snohd.org
Life After the Vaccines
Helpful tips and public health recommendations once vaccinated
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – For the nearly 450,000 Snohomish County residents who have had at least one vaccine, it may mean getting back to pre-pandemic activities. However, there are still a lot of questions that the Snohomish Health District has been getting on what comes next. Here are tips and recommendations for life after the vaccine.
- Keep original vaccine cards safe. Treat vaccination cards like a birth certificate or other official document. Take a photo of it and then store it at home. In the future, it may be needed to prove someone has been vaccinated against COVID-19. If the original card is lost or misplaced, records can also be accessed through the state’s MyIR.net system.
- Keep an official proof of vaccination handy. Many businesses or employers may require proof before entering or permitting someone to remove a mask. See examples of proof here: Visual Guide to Official Washington State Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination (PDF)
- Respect the rules of the room. Even if fully vaccinated, people still need to wear a well-fitted mask in schools, public transportation, health care settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and any business that requires masks.
- Know how to gather safely with others. It can be confusing to know when masks are required or how many people to gather with. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has created a page with different scenarios to help people in gathering safely after vaccinated.
- Monitor for symptoms and get tested. While fully vaccinated people do not need to quarantine if exposed to someone with COVID-19, they should still keep a look out for symptoms. If any unusual or new symptoms develop, seek testing and remain quarantined until test results are back.
Many people have experienced challenges while trying to confirm their records were transmitted to the Washington State Immunization Information System (WAIIS) and they are eligible for the “Shot of a Lifetime” lottery drawing. DOH recognizes that many people were not able to verify their COVID-19 vaccine record in MyIR Mobile. However, the records have been transmitted to the WAIIS, which means DOH is able to access immunization data and will be able to pull winners from the pool of eligible vaccine recipients in the state.
In the meantime, people who have further questions about their eligibility should call the state’s vaccine hotline at 1-833-VAX HELP or visit https://walottery.com/vaccination.
Former Health Officer Named Public Health Changemaker
As the University of Washington’s School of Public Health celebrates its 50th anniversary, it selected 50 distinguished alumni as changemakers of public health. Among this group of formidable people that helped shape the school’s history was Dr. Ward Hinds, health officer for the Snohomish Health District from 1986-2007.
In their anniversary edition of the UW Public Health Magazine, Dr. Hinds was recognized for setting the standard for public service in Snohomish County:
As health officer for the Snohomish Health District in Washington state from the late 1980s to early 2000s, Ward faced some very tough issues in public health. He confronted the HIV/AIDS epidemic with courage and vision, promoting a needle exchange and drug-counseling program to help stem the infection’s spread among intravenous drug users. Ward also led a call to curb tobacco use, particularly among teens, helping Washington to become a leader in the nationwide effort. Additionally, he led initiatives to get children vaccinated and to improve nutrition for low-income mothers and children.
In the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Ward worked quickly with community partners, including those in law enforcement, emergency response and the criminal justice system, to devise an action plan for bioterrorism threats and overall disaster preparedness. Over his 35-year career in public health and preventive medicine, Ward served as a U.S. Army preventive medicine officer, associate director of the epidemiology program at the Cancer Center of Hawaii and a state epidemiologist in Kentucky. He also served on the Washington State Board of Health for six years.
“Dr. Hinds was a great health officer, and I am deeply indebted to him,” said Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer for the Snohomish Health District. “He hired me in 1994 for the newly created deputy health officer position. Not only was he a fantastic mentor and boss, but he was a role model for leadership in public health.”
COVID Testing Schedule
The schedule for the week of June 14 will remain as follows:
- Everett site located at 3715 Oakes Avenue – Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Lynnwood Food Bank site at 5320 176th St SW – open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Evergreen State Fairgrounds in the front parking lot off of 179th Ave SE in Monroe – open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Appointments for testing are encouraged, and registration is available at www.snohd.org/testing. Those without internet access or needing language assistance can reach the Health District’s call center at 425.339.5278 to schedule a testing appointment. The call center is staffed 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Callers after hours or on weekends can leave a message, which will be returned on the next business day.
##END##