Mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics pop up as Spokane County lags behind statewide vaccination rate
If the state reached a mark of 70 percent of those aged 16 and older with at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, Washington can move to full reopening before June 30. Author: Ian Smay Updated: 6:49 PM PDT May 20, 2021
SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. Washington state is sitting at 60.31 percent of all people 16 years and older with at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, a little less than 10 percent short of Governor Jay Inslee s benchmark to reopen before June 30.
Spokane Interim Health Officer Dr. Francisco Velazquez said he is hopeful the state can reach that goal before the end of June, even if Spokane County doesn t hit the 70 percent mark by then.
KXLY
May 18, 2021 7:56 PM Vincent Saglimbeni
Updated:
Matt Slocum
Licensed practical nurse Adrian McCain prepares a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination at a Montgomery County Office of Public Health vaccination clinic at the King of Prussia Mall, Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in King of Prussia, Pa.,
SPOKANE, Wash.– The Spokane Arena mass vaccination site will now be hosting “Vaccination Happy Hours” events In May and June.
“Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine should be celebrated,” said Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) Interim Health Officer, Dr. Francisco Velazquez. “With the vaccine readily available, we now have the tool we need to fight the virus, keep our friends and family healthy, and return to a normal life.”
Governor Says Vaccinated? Ditch The Mask
Washington Governor Jay Inslee says he wants to fully reopen the state s economy on June 30. The democratic governor held a press conference on Thursday in which he released his plan. Inslee says starting May 18 all counties will be in Phase-3 of the state s reopening plan. While a full reopening is set for June 30 Yakima health officials say that could happen earlier if 70% or more of individuals in Washington State over 16 years of age get the vaccine.
The governor also announced a new masking plan. He says the state will adopt the mask guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which says those who are fully vaccinated no longer need masks in most places. The Yakima Health District s Andre Fresco says “Our goal has always been to open up our community safely, and as soon as possible. Governor Inslee’s announcements earlier today shows that we can do so once we can vaccinate 70% of those 16 and older. As of today, Y
36% of Yakima County Vaccinated Against COVID-19
Encouraging news from state officials who say they re seeing signs of hope in the COVID-19 case and hospitalization information. The officials say COVID-19 cases are leveling off in the state as more people become vaccinated. The state estimates 2.4 million people out of the 7.6 million people that live in the state have been fully vaccinated. In Yakima County health officials say 36.5% of total eligible population (16+) has been fully vaccinated and almost 47% of total eligible population (16+) that has received at least one vaccine. Yakima Health District spokeswoman Lilian Bravo says at the Community Vaccination Center we continue to see 400-700 individuals every day. These individuals represent those that are coming back for their second dose, as well as those that are coming in for their first dose of the vaccine. We anticipate continuing to see the number of vaccinated go up in our community.