Confusion surrounds Washington’s vaccination rate

SEATTLE — There is confusion over Washington’s vaccination rate. The White House says it is the 11th state in the country to get 70% of adults vaccinated, but state health officials say not so fast.

When it comes to single-dose vaccination rates, the numbers the state is using are different than the numbers the federal government is using.

The confusion was started by a Tweet from Andy Slavitt, senior advisor to the White House COVID-19 response team, on Sunday.

“Congratulations to Washington state, the 11th state to surpass vaccinating 70% of adults with at least one dose,” it read.

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According to Gov. Jay Inslee, the state is using the 2020 population to assess the vaccination rate, whereas the federal government is looking at the 2019 census.

Another point of contrast is the state health department is counting those 16 and older who have had one dose of vaccine, but the federal government is including everyone 18 and older.

Meanwhile, Seattle has already surpassed the 70% mark. According to Mayor Jenny Durkan, the city is currently at a 76% vaccination rate.

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