An NPR member station
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Many Workers, People With Medical Conditions, Pregnancy Vaccine Now Eligible

Rebecca White/SPR

On Wednesday many high-risk workers, people who have medical conditions or are pregnant became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

In a Spokane Regional Health District briefing Wednesday, Dr. Mark Schemmel, an obstetrics and gynecology specialist, urged everyone eligible, especially those who are pregnant, to contact a doctor and get a vaccine. 

“Pregnant women without any other health co-morbidities are at increased risk for severe disease caused by infection with COVID-19,” Schemmel said. “(They) are at increased risk for requiring hospitalization, increased risk for requiring intensive care, hospitalizations, all the things we want to avoid.”

He said the vaccine science out now shows it is safe for pregnant people to get vaccinated.

Anyone over the age of 16 who is pregnant, or has underlying health conditions that put them at risk, can get vaccinated.

Workers in congregate settings including agriculture, fishing, food processing, grocery stores, jails and detention centers, public transit and first responders can all also get immunized.

Related Content