Pierce County Vaccine Distribution Explained

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — The coronavirus vaccine has arrived in Washington and hundreds of residents have already gotten their first dose.

But as the Tacoma - Pierce County Health Department explains, though the vaccine is not available for everyone just yet, it will be soon.

For this first wave of vaccine shipments, vaccines are only being given to those at the highest risk of infection. The Washington State Department of Health calls this "phase 1a", during which the vaccine will only be administered to high-risk workers in health care facilities, and residents and staff at long-term care facilities.

The DOH estimates between 300,000 and 500,000 people across the state are eligible for the vaccine in phase 1a.

However, phase 1a won't last forever — it's expected to be complete by mid-January — and when it is, TPCHD wants to be ready to broaden vaccine distribution.

"Later in January, more people who are high risk and members of critical workforce will be eligible. That guidance is still in development," writes Kayla Scrivner, communicable disease program manager for the health department. "By early spring, it might be your turn. Regardless of when that is, you may have already heard from your healthcare provider that they are getting ready."

Related: 'A Turning Point': Coronavirus Vaccinations Begin In Washington

The Tacoma - Pierce County Health Department has announced 6 ways they'll be distributing vaccines across Pierce County:

• Through regular healthcare systems. As with any standard vaccine, you should be able to get vaccinated through your regular doctor or health care provider, once the vaccine is more widely available.
• Through partnerships with local pharmacies. Several pharmacies have teamed up with the health department to administer the vaccine.
• Through healthcare partners. The health department has begun training and coordinating with qualified partners across the county, including providers who are not affiliated with larger health care systems, pharmacists and emergency medical services.
• Through federal pharmacies. The CDC has been in contact with large chain pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS to make sure they can also administer the vaccine. Those pharmacies have also sent teams directly to long-term care facilities to immunize patients and staff.
• Through local drop teams. Similar to how retail pharmacies deployed teams to long-term care facilities, the county plans to send their own drop teams to help small facilities and underserved populations get vaccinated.
• Through direct vaccine administration. Finally, the health department explains that they themselves are an enrolled vaccine provider — meaning they can and will administer vaccines to any part of the county that doesn't have other options to receive the vaccine.

Read more about vaccine distribution from the Tacoma - Pierce County Health Department's website.