King County launched its COVID-19 vaccination sites Monday, Feb. 1 at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent and the General Services Administration (GSA) Complex in Auburn to provide access for vulnerable older adults.

The two sites are by appointment only and all appointments are filled through Feb. 28, according to Public Health — Seattle & King County. Both sites are giving out 500 doses per day six days a week.

“As supplies increase, we plan to scale those sites up to 1,000 to 2,000 doses per day,” said Gabriel Spitzer, communications specialist with Public Health – Seattle & King County, in a Feb. 1 email.

People will be able to go online for updates as vaccine supplies increase and more appointments become available at KingCounty.gov/Vaccine, according to the King County Executive’s Office.

Individuals eligible for vaccination can find additional locations on the state Department of Health’s website.

The sites in south King County will reach those who are at highest risk from COVID-19 and face barriers to accessing vaccine through traditional health care systems, according to a Jan. 29 county news release.

Public Health — Seattle & King County has received enough vaccine doses from the state to begin operating the two sites at 500 doses per day, six days a week. These sites will position King County to be able to quickly scale up vaccination efforts and serve the broader community when more vaccine becomes available.

“I want to thank the county for taking Kent up on its offer to use the accesso ShoWare Center to provide vaccines to our community,” Kent Mayor Dana Ralph said. “The sooner we can get supply and administer the vaccine, the sooner we can put COVID-19 in our rearview mirror and move toward recovery. This has truly been a team effort between the county, city of Kent, public health officials and providers. I am thrilled to have Kent and South King County help lead the way back to a healthy and vibrant community.”

People age 75 and older are eligible for the shots because they have endured much higher rates of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 than any other group and face more challenges to getting vaccinated, such as transportation barriers and more limited internet access, according to the news release. In King County, 66% of the deaths from COVID-19 have been among those 75 and older, compared to those ages 65 to 74, who account for 19% of total deaths.

While the vaccine supply remains very limited, the Kent and Auburn sites will focus on vaccinating highest-risk south King County residents ages 75 and older, individuals who are unable to live independently and their caregivers.

Appointment availability will expand to individuals age 65-74 as vaccine supply increases. Older adults in south King County are at particularly high risk, as rates of COVID-19 in many parts of south King County have been nearly twice as high compared to the county average.

“This is all-hands-on-deck, coordinating county government with partners across the region to stand up community vaccination sites,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said. “I share the frustration of not having enough vaccine from manufacturers, but we are determined to build the distribution infrastructure to quickly and fairly get shots to eligible people as soon as those doses are available, and to expand capacity ahead of the increasing supply.”

NEW INFO

As supplies increase, we plan to scale those sites up to 1,000-2,000 doses/day.

Gabriel Spitzer

Communications Specialist

Public Health – Seattle & King County

People line up to get their COVID-19 shots on Feb. 1 at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent

King County began offering COVID-19 vaccinations on Feb. 1 at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, King County

Appointments have been filled up through Feb. 20 for COVID-19 vaccinations offered by King County at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, King County