Vaccines For All: 16+ Eligibility Begins Thursday In Washington

SEATTLE — Exactly four months after the state's vaccination efforts began, a long-awaited day has finally arrived. Starting Thursday, all Washington residents 16 and older qualify for COVID-19 vaccines, as the Evergreen State embarks on a major step in its journey to defeat the coronavirus pandemic.

State officials estimate 1.5 million Washingtonians are newly eligible April 15, joining approximately 5 million who already qualified under earlier tiers. While the state tailored previous phases toward the groups identified at highest risk, the only requirement for appointments now is that patients are at least 16 years old.

"[Thursday] is the day so many of us have been waiting for," said Michele Roberts, the state's lead vaccine planner. "The expanded eligibility will help us get people protected faster and help us slow the spread of disease."

Health officials hope universal eligibility will gradually help Washington achieve its ultimate goal of hitting 70 percent vaccination coverage — an immunity benchmark that experts believe will significantly curb transmission. So far, more than 23 percent of the state's population is fully vaccinated, and close to 35 percent have received at least a first dose, according to the latest state data.

On average, current vaccination efforts are reaching more than 57,000 people across the state each day, but health care providers are prepared to nearly triple that number once supplies catch up. Securing enough doses for that to happen is going to take some time.

The latest three-week delivery forecast from the federal government remains relatively flat, ranging between 365,000 and 377,000 total doses expected each week through the beginning of May. Separate allocations are sent directly to providers enrolled in the federal pharmacy program.

Washington's vaccine delivery forecast:

• Week of April 18: 364,700 total doses (191,680 first doses, 173,020 second doses)
  • This includes 210,600 doses of Pfizer and 154,100 doses of Moderna.
• Week of April 25: 370,340 total doses (191,680 first doses, 178,660 second doses)
  • This includes 212,940 doses of Pfizer and 157,400 doses of Moderna.
• Week of May 2: 377,360 total doses (191,680 first doses, 185,680 second doses)
  • This includes 219,960 doses of Pfizer and 157,400 doses of Moderna.

A nationwide pause on single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines continues as federal health officials review reports of six women developing rare blood clots out of 6.8 million doses administered across the United States. In Washington, officials expect the impact to be minimal, noting J&J shots accounted for just 169,000 of the state's 4.3 million doses to date.

While the gap between what health care providers are requesting and what they're receiving from the federal government is shrinking, state leaders are asking Washingtonians to be patient as demand for appointments soars and supply constraints persist.

"We have said opening it up to all will take time," Roberts said. "It was never a magic 'Vax Day' that everybody — all 6.3 to 6.5 million people 16 and older in our state — would have vaccine on that day. It's movement in the direction; it's the beginning of getting our whole community protected."

Although scheduling delays are expected, Washington officials encourage residents to seek out appointments and book available slots without hesitation.

Here a few ways to search for appointments available near you:

• Washington's official Vaccine Locator tool
• WA COVID Vaccine Finder
• Search local pharmacies, including:
• Walgreens
• Costco
• CVS
• Bartell Drugs
• QFC
• Fred Meyer
• Rite Aid
• Walmart
• Albertsons/Safeway
• Sign up for appointment notifications at Seattle's four city-run sites.
• Keep tabs on Pierce County vaccination events.
• Learn more about getting vaccinated in King County.

For the youngest people eligible, only the Pfizer vaccine is currently authorized for 16 and 17-year-olds. The Washington State Department of Health is working to add which type of vaccine is available at each provider to the Vaccine Locator tool. Patients who are minors will also need parental consent.

Until enough people are immunized, state and local health leaders urge continued caution and adherence to preventative measures to help limit the scope of a fourth wave in illness, while 77 percent of the state remains susceptible to infection, and variants are gaining ground.

"We're continuing to race against the clock when it comes to vaccines, and we're very concerned about the fact that we are seeing increasing trends in cases in the majority of counties across the state of Washington," said Dr. Umair Shah, state Secretary of Health. "Hospital admission rates are increasing in most age groups...and particularly is of concern in the younger age group, those groups that aren't vaccinated yet."

The recent rise in cases and hospitalizations is reversible, officials said Wednesday, using the same methods that have worked in the past.

"We are seeing increased cases, there's a big concern that's a fourth wave" said Dr. Scott Lindquist, the state Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases. "People need to distance themselves; they need to wear a mask. I know the weather is turning nice, I know people are tired of doing this...the vaccine is clearly a great strategy but [good] behaviors turned all these waves around previously, so it can be done with this one also."