Pierce County Health Department Announces Vaccination Clinics
PUYALLUP, WA — The Tacoma - Pierce County Health Department has announced two COVID-19 vaccination events planned for next week — the first-ever events of their kind in the county.
UPDATE: At 7 p.m. Friday, the health department announced that all slots for both events have been filled. Future events are expected to be announced soon.
Thank you to everyone who signed up for the Jan. 26 and 28 COVID-19 vaccination clinics. We saw a huge response, and spots for both clinics are now full. We know demand is high for vaccine, but supplies remain limited.
— Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (@TPCHD) January 23, 2021
When more clinics are announced, they will be open to the public, although only to residents who are eligible to receive the vaccine under the state's distribution plan, and require that residents set up an appointment to get their shots.
Spots are limited to 1,500 doses per event, so when they are made public, anyone who is interested should register sooner, rather than later.
The first event will be held Tuesday, Jan 26. at Clover Park Technical College, 4500 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood. The clinic runs from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
The second will be held at the Washington State Fair Events Center's blue lot, at 110 9th Ave. SW, Puyallup. It will be on Thursday, Jan. 28 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Both events are free, and both are drive-thru events, meaning those who did manage to reserve spots will receive their shots while they remain in your car. Anyone who gets their first dose of the vaccine at either clinic will also be allowed to schedule their second dose for a later date.
To qualify for these and future events, a resident must be in Phases 1A or 1B1 of the state's vaccination plan. That includes:
Health care workers
Medical first responders
Residents and staff of long-term care facilities
Anyone 65 and older
Residents 50 or older and who live in a multigenerational household.
Fortunately for those who missed the first rush, there will be other clinics. TPCHD say they're planning follow-ups soon, including an upcoming clinic in Gig Harbor which they hope to announce in the coming days.
“The strength of our partnerships countywide means we can be agile and move quickly to get vaccine to eligible people once it becomes available,” said Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Director of Health Anthony L-T Chen. "Expect to see more strategies to better serve our different communities and populations."
The clinics were developed in a partnership between TPCHD, the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, MultiCare Health System, and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.
“As we confront COVID-19, it’s imperative that we work together to protect our communities,” said Dr. Michael H. Anderson, chief medical officer of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. “Hospital employees have worked diligently to distribute the vaccine, and these partnerships will allow us to increase access to eligible populations even further.”
The health department also keeps an updated list of health care providers and pharmacies offering the vaccine on their website at www.tpchd.org/vaxtothefuture.
This article originally appeared on the Puyallup Patch
