Kiosks dispense free COVID and flu tests in Washington state

The latest: By early April, the state Department of Health expects to have 20 test-dispensing kiosks up and running throughout Washington, spokesperson John Doyle told Axios.

• A machine isn't slated to come to King County at the moment, but local public health officials are exploring whether they can get one, Kate Cole, spokesperson for Public Health – Seattle & King County, told Axios.

State of play: Four vending machines are up and running right now — one in Grays Harbor County, one in Thurston County and two in Pierce County.

• Sixteen more are approved for tribal governments and public health districts throughout the state, including in Whatcom, Snohomish, Skamania, Yakima, Asotin and Okanogan counties.

What they're saying: The vending machine program "ensures Washington communities with underserved populations have easy access to COVID-19 testing and essential health supplies, breaking down barriers to care," Kristina Allen, the state health department's community testing supervisor, said in a news release.

The fine print: The 24-hour-vending machines can hold up to 700 tests, and must be filled at least halfway with flu and COVID-19 tests provided by the state.

• Local officials can add other items, such as the overdose-reversing medication naloxone or pregnancy tests, at their own expense.