WA DOH: Don't Travel To Washington For The Vaccine

OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Health is warning residents from neighboring states that crossing state lines just to get a shot, is going to get you nowhere.

By the end of the week, Washington will be operating four mass vaccination sites in Spokane, Ridgefield, Wenatchee, and Kennewick. The DOH says they expect those sites to be popular, but they're also warning: they're for people who live or work in Washington only.

They've released a statement on the matter, reading in part:

All of us recognize the desire to get vaccinated and know that neighboring states also are vaccinating their people. If you do not live or work in Washington, please do not make vaccine appointments or travel to these Washington mass vaccination sites for vaccines.

Why would someone cross state lines to get the vaccine? One reason might be that different states have prioritized different groups.

As Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat explains, Oregon and Washington's vaccination programs differ significantly. Oregon has put public school teachers high in their queue, above seniors 65 and older. Washington has done the opposite: anyone over 65 in the Evergreen state is now eligible for the vaccine, and despite pushback from state educators, Washington teachers may have months to go before they can get their shots.

Discrepancies like that could be enough to push some to try and jump ahead in line by seeking a vaccine outside their home state.

But Washington is still struggling to vaccinate its own residents, let alone those of other states. So, to make sure that Washington's allotted vaccines are going to Washingtonians, appointments at the mass vaccination sites will require proof of residence. According to the DOH, that could be a driver's license, a letter with your address or utility bill, or a voucher from your job, church, health care provider or school which proves that you live or work in Washington.

The mass vaccination sites are part of the state's recent push to triple the number of daily vaccinations to 45,000 doses administered per day. According to the latest update to the state's COVID-19 Data Dashboard, Washington has averaged 26,412 doses given over the past seven days — short of their goal but significantly higher than just a week ago when the average hovered closer to 15,000.

Related: Washington's First Mass Vaccination Sites To Open This Week