Entering a vaccine clinic in West Seattle. (MyNorthwest Photo)
On Thursday, eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine is open to anyone in Washington State over the age of 16. As this opens up vaccinations for another 1.5 million people, the state warns people to remain patient and expect possible delays in setting appointments.
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Washington currently distributes two types of vaccines, both of which require two doses: Pfizer and Moderna. Pfizer is the only vaccine authorized for people over the age of 16, while Moderna is allowed for anyone over the age of 18.
On Tuesday, the state stopped using the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine, while the CDC and FDA are investigating blood clots reported in six women. More than 6.8 million doses of J&J vaccine have been administered in the United States so far this week, the vast majority of which have either little or no side effects.
The state will receive between 365,000 and 377,000 doses of vaccine from the federal government in each of the next three weeks. Given the limited availability of doses, the State Department of Health says “it may be more difficult to find an appointment” starting Thursday.
“Please be patient and know that although you may not receive the vaccine today, you will receive it soon,” the DOH said in a written statement.
This is largely due to the fact that more vaccine supplies are needed in Washington, despite expanding eligibility.
“We want people to recognize that there is not enough supply,” said Secretary of State for Health Umair Shah during a briefing in early April. “It won’t magically open on April 15.”
To find a vaccine appointment available near you, you can use the state’s “Vaccine Locator” tool at this link or call 800-525-0127 for assistance. Seattle residents can also use this link to schedule an appointment, with availability varying from day to day.
For anyone who cannot immediately schedule a meeting, state officials encourage people to continue the daily check.
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To support Thursday’s expansion, the FEMA-supported vaccination status site in Yakima will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and will be open until 8 p.m., beginning April 25.
As of April 10, more than 22% of Washingtonians have been fully vaccinated, while nearly 35% of the state’s population has received at least one dose. By Thursday, about five million people were eligible for the combined COVID-19 vaccine in all previous phases.