Projected vaccine timeline announced for Washington

Governor Jay Inslee announced March 4 a projected Covid-19 vaccine timeline that includes expanding to essential workers on March 22, with others planned to follow in April.

Phase 1b Tier 2, which includes essential workers in congregate settings and people over 16 who are pregnant or have a disability that makes them high risk for the virus, could start as soon as March 22. Essential workers include those working in fishing boats, agriculture, food processing, grocery stores, public transit, corrections facilities, first responders and people working in congregate living
settings.

People 50 and older with two or more underlying conditions can tentatively expect to be vaccinated beginning April 12, the governor also announced.

By April 26, people 16 and older with two or more underlying conditions will be eligible.

People experiencing homelessness can also be vaccinated April 26, as well as people living in congregate living facilities such as jails and group homes for people with disabilities.

“These dates, of course, have to be tentative and expanding eligibility will depend on supply and our progress vaccinating earlier groups,” Inslee said during a media conference. “I am thrilled at the progress our federal government is making, in combination with these manufacturers to increase supplies.”

Inslee announced March 2 that effective immediately teachers and other childcare workers would be added to current eligible group for vaccinations. The governor’s announcement came after President Joe Biden directed all educators have at least one dose by the end of March.

Remaining healthcare workers, people 65 and older, and people over 50 living in multigenerational households are already being vaccinated in Washington.

The state also reached its goal of vaccinating an average of 45,000 people per day over the past week. The state department of health (DOH) announced March 5 that an average of 45,221 doses given per day, exceeding the daily vaccination goal set in January.

On March 8, DOH reported 2 million vaccine doses had been given in Washington, less than a month after the millionth dose was given February 12.

To sign up for Phase Finder, which will notify Washington residents when they’re eligible for the vaccine, visit bit.ly/38aVQPB. CDC information on defining underlying conditions is available at bit.ly/3efcIsC.