Media contact: Kelli Hawkins | [email protected] | (509) 324-1539, c (509) 994-8968
Spokane, Was. – Governor Jay Inslee and the Department of Health in Washington (DOH) today announced the COVID-19 vaccination of Phase 1 Level B1, individuals aged 65 and over, and those over 50 living in a multigenerational household. Health officials in Spokane County support the extension of the qualification to Level B1, while the provision of levels A1 and A2, which include health care workers first responders and staff and residents of long-term care facilities, is prioritized.
Dr Francisco Velazquez, Spokane County Interim Health Officer at Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD), explained that providers enrolled in the administration of COVID-19 vaccines continue to see high demand from eligible individuals in Tiers A1 and A2 and what the vaccine wants. .
“As with other provinces with a higher population, Spokane continues to work diligently to ensure that members of our community at greatest risk for exposure first receive the vaccine,” Velazquez said. “We are committed to being good stewards of our limited amount of COVID-19 vaccine.”
Since only one of the many providers administers the vaccine via the DOH-led vaccination program, SRHD has received 3,400 COVID-19 vaccines and will receive an additional 1,900 vaccines this week. 90% of our vaccines have been administered. Vaccine doses are not withheld and were administered as SRHD received through the transit clinic in the Spokane Fire Training Center (which ended on 14 January 2021) and are still administered by liaison officers within their facilities such as corrections, care places, shelters, schools and other.
The SRHD COVID-19 vaccination team works daily with other community agencies and partners to determine what mass vaccination efforts will look like in our community as they prepare for a steady supply of vaccine.
In addition, Governor Jay Inslee has announced state-run mass vaccination clinics at four sites in Washington, including Spokane County. Details regarding the clinic’s dates and accessibility have not yet been announced.
“We are delighted to hear that state-level support is planned that will compliment Spokane County’s vaccination efforts through existing systems,” said Kayla Myers, leader of SRHD’s COVID-19 vaccination task. ‘Mass vaccination planning is already underway by a collaborative working group of healthcare providers and the health district; the state’s efforts will accelerate our ability to get more people vaccinated faster. ”
Those eligible for the vaccine are encouraged to use DOH’s Phase Finder at www.findyourphasewa.org to be eligible and to refer to Spokane County vaccine providers.
Healthcare providers are asked to enroll in the administration of vaccines by completing the COVID-19 provider survey form on the DOH COVID-19 vaccination program website (under COVID-19 vaccination program enrollment).