Thousands Of Vaccine Appointments Open In Auburn, Kent

AUBURN, WA — King County's mass vaccination sites in Kent and Auburn have an influx of new appointments, with thousands of slots available to south King County residents through Monday, April 26. Public Health - Seattle & King County announced the welcome additions Thursday, including an all-day clinic in Kent Sunday and more openings expected next week.

The Auburn site is located at the Outlet Collection, and Kent appointments are served at the accesso ShoWare Center.

During the coronavirus pandemic, south King County has suffered disproportionately, with considerably more cases, hospitalizations and deaths. While vaccination rates among older adults are now comparable to those in Seattle and the Eastside, overall rates in the 16-plus age continue to lag. In Auburn, Kent and Federal Way, roughly 47 percent of all residents have received one dose, compared with about 62 percent in West Seattle, Bellevue and Issaquah.

The same disparity continues in the rate of new cases, which sits just above 200 per 100,000 residents for King County overall, and is 350 per 100,000 in south King County.

“This week, we reached the exciting milestone that over 1 million King County residents have received at least one dose. But there are lots of people anxiously awaiting their opportunity,” said Patty Hayes, director of Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Through opportunities such as this Sunday’s all-day vaccine clinic at our Kent site, we hope that residents of south King County with less flexible schedules, or those who may need someone to accompany them, can have a bit easier time getting their vaccine.”

Vaccine appointments at the Kent and Auburn sites are available to all residents 16 and older who live in South King County. Both locations now have Pfizer and Moderna options, with Pfizer approved for use in 16 and 17-year-olds. Officials anticipate having the capacity to fulfill 2,500 appointments each day.

Appointments can be scheduled using King County's online screener tool or by calling 206-477-3977, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. For those living outside south King County, appointments may be available through the state's Vaccine Locator tool or a host of other options.