OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Health officials in Washington state said Wednesday they had submitted an interim COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan to the federal government.

The plan says state authorities are ready to distribute and administer a vaccine once one is approved by the FDA and available.

Working with local governments and health care providers, a vaccine will be provided in a phased approach, with people like essential workers, health care workers and people and workers at long-term care facilities having access first.