In the wake of reports that three King County hospitals offered special access to COVID-19 vaccines to donors and board members, the King County Council formally condemned the activity and urged Washington’s governor and state lawmakers to prohibit such practices.

The council criticized the hospitals for creating a situation of unequal access.

“I was appalled,” said Councilwoman Jeanne Kohl-Welles said. She and other council members called the incidents unethical and in complete contrast to the common medical oath to do no harm.