As COVID-19 vaccines are being developed, fire risks rise

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that everyone 6 months of age or older should get one of the 2024 COVID-19 vaccines that become available this fall.

The new vaccine was approved by federal regulators and production began this month.

“It's important for everyone to understand that this year's COVID is different from last year's COVID,” said Dr. Zach Miller, an infectious disease specialist at Vashon Medical Reserve Corps. “The COVID virus is constantly mutating, so vaccines have been adjusted each year to target new variants and be more effective. We know from experience over the past four years that mutations will evolve in a way that evades the immune defenses that most people have built up from previous vaccinations and leads to repeat COVID infection.”

According to the CDC, two new variants, KP.3 and LB.1, account for more than half of new COVID cases nationwide. These two variants were not present last year. However, the new variants are descendants of the Omicron and recent JN.1 variants. The new vaccine targets this family of variants, as recommended by two CDC expert advisory committees.

You may want to consider the timing of your next vaccination: If you want to get vaccinated now because of summer spread or other risk factors, get it as soon as possible, because a 2024 vaccine could be available as soon as late August or early September.

If that timing holds, it may be necessary to delay giving the new vaccine because vaccinations may need to be spaced several months apart to maximize their effectiveness. The timing is still under review.

The vaccine, which was improved last year, had a good track record in preventing severe illness and hospitalization, and the 2023 vaccine also prevented just over 50% of symptomatic COVID cases during the winter respiratory illness season.

Over the coming months, VashonBePrepared will continue to provide information on the availability of new versions of the COVID vaccine.

CDC: Summer COVID surge underway

The CDC reports that COVID case numbers are increasing nationwide. According to the CDC, COVID cases are increasing in at least 44 of the 50 states.

Vashon-specific COVID data has been scarce since the pandemic emergency ended last year, but we have some indicators from Public Health Seattle-King County (PHSKC) that suggest the area's annual expected summer surge in cases may be beginning.

• Community wastewater monitoring for COVID-19 cases has been gradually increasing since May, but has seen a sharp increase in recent weeks. Wastewater data is from three large wastewater treatment plants in King County and mainland Snohomish County. There is no COVID-19 monitoring of wastewater on Vashon Island.

• Public Health Seattle-King County (PHSKC) lab test tally reveals a sharp increase in positive COVID test results since May. Like other COVID metrics, the total number of reported lab tests has decreased following the end of the Pandemic Emergency, but the increase in positive test results indicates a clear upward trend in COVID infections.

• The percentage of emergency department visits being diagnosed with COVID has also increased since May. In late June, 2.25% of emergency department visits were diagnosed with COVID. This is still below the 3.0% warning threshold set by PHSKC, but if current trends continue, it will soon reach that threshold.

Protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID

The average age of Vashon Island residents is about 55, while the average age in mainland King County is about 35, meaning island residents are at higher risk than mainland residents.

“We know from experience over the past four years that older adults are at significantly higher risk for severe illness and hospitalization if they contract COVID-19. Given Vashon's elderly population, it makes sense for us to continue the basic precautions we all learned during the pandemic.”

• Get vaccinated. The best prevention is to get vaccinated. Keep your COVID-19 vaccination up to date, especially if you are over 50 or have any health conditions.

• Wear a mask in high-risk settings (such as crowded places) to protect yourself and others, especially those with underlying medical conditions that may make them less able to fight off the virus.

• Get tested for COVID if you have symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

• If you test positive for COVID, getting treatment early can help avoid severe illness and hospitalization. This is especially important if you are at high risk for contracting the disease. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether treatment, such as Paxlovid, is recommended.

• Keep activities small and outdoors, especially if unvaccinated people may attend.

• Good indoor airflow, ventilation and air filters can help reduce airborne viral particles in your home and workplace.

• Don't bring COVID home. Younger people are less likely to be seriously affected by COVID, but you probably aren't the only young people in your household. One of the main ways older people get COVID is from family members bringing the virus home from school, work, camp, or summer trips.

Stage 1 Burning Prohibited

With dry weather and high temperatures approaching, a Stage 1 fire ban has been issued for unincorporated areas of King County, including Vashon.

The ban prohibits burning yard debris or starting fires to clear land, but does allow recreational fires and the use of gas/propane appliances such as grills, pellet smokers and charcoal grills.

Vashon Island Fire Rescue Chief Matt Vinci called on islanders, saying, “Protecting our island requires cooperation from the entire community, so please join us in doing so by following the fire ban and taking precautions to prevent wildfires on Vashon Island.”

“VIFR firefighters are on the front lines and ready to respond with enhanced equipment and manpower to protect the island,” the chief added.

In announcing the burn ban, King County Fire Chief Eric Urban said, “We are entering into a busy summer season – a time of celebration and fun with family and friends, but also increased fire danger. Our emergency personnel are always working hard to respond to any emergency situations, but local residents can also play their part in preventing out-of-control fires by following the Stage 1 burn ban.”

Urban also urged residents who smoke to be careful when handling ashes and extinguishing their cigarettes.