(Image: CDC)
Parents and guardians across Seattle have begun scheduling appointments for their kids for the COVID-19 vaccine but officials say, while urgency to help make children aged 5 to 11 safer is good, there will eventually be plenty of doses to go around as pharmacies, city clinics, and new school-based clinics ramp up and prepare to serve this final key population in the pandemic puzzle.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week approved use of the smaller doses on children under 12 setting off a rush to provide the vaccine even as formalities like approval from the Western States Scientific Review Group were still playing out.
Commercial pharmacies led the way with many parents reporting scheduled appointments in coming days. The City of Seattle’s downtown Vaccination Hub and city clinics and large health providers like Polyclinic and Kaiser Permanente were also preparing to vaccinate kids. Officials said there will also be efforts to establish clinics at public schools across the area.
UPDATE: The county says it is making plans to help ensure the “equitable” distribution of vaccine for kids:
The initial local allocation of these doses in the first few weeks may not be enough to meet the initial expected demand from all families. Public Health expects enough doses in the weeks ahead to ensure vaccination will be available for every child across King County.
There are approximately 183,000 children ages five to eleven in King County, officials said.
The approvals come as transmission rates remain at “substantial” levels in Seattle and King County’s vaccination rate has stubbornly sat around 83% for weeks. As of late last month, nearly 2,000 have died here. In King County, unvaccinated people are 3x more likely to catch the virus, and 14x more likely to die from COVID-19 complications.
As the city ramps up its vaccination efforts, the October 18th deadline has come and gone for city, county, and state employees to become vaccinated, receive an approved exemption, or lose their jobs. Customers of restaurants, bars, and indoor venues must show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test as do fans attending large events like sports and concerts. Masks remain an essential element of daily life and are required for businesses, buildings, public transit, schools, and large outdoor events and gatherings.
Washington state has launched a new WA Verify system to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. Large sports venues in the city have recommended use of the Clear system to streamline entry.
HELP KEEP CHS PAYWALL-FREE
Subscribe to CHS to help us hire writers and photographers to cover the neighborhood. CHS is a pay what you can community news site with no required sign-in or paywall. To stay that way, we need you.
Become a subscriber to help us cover the neighborhood for as little as $5 a month.
