J and J Vaccine Approved By Western States Group

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) – The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday.

The group – comprised of public health experts from Washington, California, Oregon and Nevada – was created last year to independently review the safety and efficacy of any coronavirus vaccine approved by the FDA before any distribution occurs in those states.

Their decision on the latest vaccine comes after the FDA and CDC granted their initial authorization for the vaccine.

An estimated 60,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are expected to arrive in the state this week.