Registration Opens Tuesday For Orting Vaccine Clinic

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — Pierce County residents who qualify for the coronavirus vaccine can get their dose at another free clinic later this week.

The Tacoma - Pierce County Health Department has announced they will host a drive-thru vaccine clinic Friday in Orting. Registration for the clinic will open at 10 a.m. Tuesday. When it does, a link to apply will be posted on the health department's website at http://tpchd.org/vaxtothefuture.

The clinic will offer the Moderna vaccine. At the same time the Orting clinic was announced, the health department confirmed a second clinic offering the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Tacoma. However, demand for the J&J vaccine is high, and that clinic filled up in just minutes.

The Moderna vaccine requires two shots, so patients who register for the Orting clinic will also be allowed to set an appointment for the second dose.

As with all the health department's vaccine clinics, slots are only open to residents who are currently eligible to receive the vaccine.

That includes:

• High risk employees in congregate settings like:
  • Agriculture and food processing.
  • Grocery stores.
  • Public transit.
  • First responders, law enforcement, and firefighters.
  • Corrections employees at jails and detention centers.

• Anyone 16 and older who is either pregnant or has a disability that puts them at higher risk.
• Health care workers.
• Medical first responders.
• Teachers and school support staff.
• Residents and staff of long-term care facilities.
• Anyone 65 and older.
• Residents 50 or older and who live in a multigenerational household.

Applicants should also work or live in Pierce County.