WA National Guard sending vaccine support (1900 doses) to San Juan County next week

REGISTRATION OPENS 5 P.M., WEDNESDAY, FEB 10

||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT |||

In the good news department, a joint effort between San Juan County, the Washington National Guard, and the WA Department of Health is planning to deliver 1900 first doses of the COVID vaccine over next week (Feb. 15 – 19). The team will return 28 days later to deliver second doses.

Registration for these vaccine events will open at 5 p.m. on Wednesday Feb. 10. For the latest vaccine registration information, and the updated link to the registration form, please visit: https://www.sanjuanco.com/1737/COVID-Vaccine-Info. Approximately 380 first doses will be delivered each day, with one day on Lopez and two days each on San Juan and Orcas.

San Juan County Council Chair Jamie Stephens highlights the value of this mission, “The islands haven’t had the benefit of large healthcare systems or chain pharmacies to support our vaccine effort and to date the work has been done exclusively by the County and smaller healthcare providers. This will be a considerable boost to our efforts.”

Stephens expressed gratitude to the State for their support, “Washington Department of Health went far out of their way to make this happen. These service members coming to help us are Washington residents and are leaving families and day-jobs behind to support us. They’ve been working tirelessly for weeks helping to deliver vaccine across the state and the entire County Council looks forward to our community giving the entire team a true island-style welcome.”

A number of organizations and agencies are supporting the effort in conjunction with the County. Fire and Rescue responders from each island will be providing traffic control and site safety. The Fairgrounds, Lopez Center, and Orcas Center staff and leadership have all welcomed the opportunity to provide support. A team of community volunteers will be helping as well. Even local businesses have stepped up, with Kings Market in Friday Harbor offering to feed the soldiers and volunteers during some of the long days they’ll be working.

As the owners of Kings say, “We are thrilled that this service has been made available to San Juan County and for the support of the National Guard in this effort. Kings is happy to provide a small thank you to those who are working to protect this wonderful community.” While this won’t vaccinate everyone islander currently eligible for vaccine, it will move the islands much closer to that goal.

San Juan County Health & Community Services Director Mark Tompkins sums it up, “Our effort has been limited by vaccine supplies and our staff have been working tirelessly. To not only receive the doses of vaccine, but also personnel to support delivery is something we should all be thankful for.”

Islanders, if you see a soldier in uniform next week, don’t panic. Take a moment to tell them thank you in a masked and socially distanced kind of way.