Inslee announces changes to Phase 1b and hopes to vaccinate 45,000 people a day
Large Seattle companies are working with the state to distribute coronavirus vaccines.
OLYMPIA, Was. – Governor Jay Inslee announced Monday that the state of Washington will expand access to COVID-19 vaccines to 65-year-olds. Those living 50 years and older in multi-generation households are also eligible.
The state is now moving on to phase 1b of its roadmap for vaccinations. Initially, health officials planned to limit distribution to 70-year-olds.
The governor also said the state would be open to more flexibility regarding the plan going forward.
RELATED: The entire state of Washington remains in phase 1 of the new COVID-19 plan until January 25
As of last week, Washington was 26th in the country for distributing vaccines, slightly above the national average but far from stars.
There is also confusion among states about how much more vaccines will come and when states will receive them.
Inslee said there will soon be 45,000 vaccinations available each day as soon as possible. This is higher than the current federal allocation – currently the state vaccinates 13,000 to 15,000 people a day.
You can check your vaccine admission here.
To put pressure on local suppliers, Inslee announced that suppliers must use 95% of the doses within the first week. Doses received this week should be used on January 24th.
The governor also announced that mass vaccination centers will be coming soon. Some of the sites that will be part of the initial kickoff are the Spokane Arena Toyota Town Center, Wenatchee Benton County Fairgrounds and Clark County Fairgrounds. It starts next week.
Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, said local hospitals would use buildings on the Microsoft campus to administer vaccines to the public.
RELATED: Who Gets the COVID-19 Vaccine Next: A Look at Washington’s Distribution Plan