||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT |||
In a welcome sign of progress, the vaccine registration window on Monday, March 22, had slots available for almost five hours after opening. While the outreach to those who are eligible but not yet vaccinated continues, this decreased demand indicates the appropriateness of expanding eligibility further.
As per a recent decision by Governor Inslee, as of March 31, eligibility for the COVID vaccine will be expanded to include those individuals in Phase 1b Tiers 3 and 4.
These newly eligible groups may sign up to receive their vaccine at the next available San Juan County Health & Community Services clinic (monitor this page for most current info). Other vaccine providers in the islands will soon follow the new regulations as well. Please note that these newly eligible groups include over 2,000 islanders, so vaccine appointments will be in short supply for at least the next couple of weeks. Though San Juan County has one of the highest vaccine rates in Washington, local demand far exceeds the available doses.
The following groups are now eligible for the vaccine:
- Individuals age 60 or older (previously was 65+)
- Individuals who work in restaurants, manufacturing, or construction
- 16 years or older with two or more comorbidities. For a list of comorbidities, please review this CDC document*
- 16 years or older and live in a congregate setting. For example, correctional facilities, group homes for people with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness*
As always, islanders are asked to be thoughtful and considerate when determining their eligibility. Please respect the requirements.
As a reminder, the following groups remain eligible for vaccine:
- Medical workers and all first responders
- All 65 years or older
- Those working in grocery stores or restaurants
- PreK – 12 educators, school staff, and childcare workers
- Those working in high risk agriculture or food processing settings
- Those 16 or older who are pregnant*
- Those living or working in long term care facilities
- Those working in courts or correctional facilities
- Those 50 or older living in a multigenerational household
*NOTE: that at this time the Moderna vaccine being given in San Juan County is only approved for those 18 or older.
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While this is good news that progress is being made to improve our pace locally and I am sincerely happy for anyone that gets a vaccine, it does not seem that WA state is expanding eligibility at the same pace as other states. Seeing a list of multiple states opening access to all adults over 16 within the next 2 weeks compared to WA recent timelines that don’t have a goal date for this step is frustrating. Also factor in reports that mass vaccine sites in eastern WA have open appointments / demand below supply and capacity and you wonder why distribution is not being adjusted based on demand. First world complaints readily acknowledged.