Coronavirus vaccine milestones reached as King County infections rise

SEATTLE — Fifty-thousand vaccinations and counting have been given out at Lumen Field, Seattle’s largest mass vaccination site.

But it comes amid concerns that more contagious variants could push King County back in its effort to reopen fully.

A decision about that is a few days away. The situation in King County and others in the state is being reevaluated early next month.

There is concern that too many infections could mean returning to an earlier phase. And nobody wants that.

At a glance, it seems like it was easy to get to 50,000 vaccinations by now at Lumen Field.

But Mayor Jenny Durkan credits the operation at the city’s largest mass vaccination site and a specific goal.

“We were hoping that Seattle was one of the first cities in America to vaccinate a sufficient number of people to reach that community/immunity threshold,” said Durkan.

Even so, the number of coronavirus cases is on the rise. King County Executive Dow Constantine blames that on more contagious variants spreading among the unvaccinated young.

“Also, I do think it is a fact that more people are doing more things,” said Constantine. “And when that happens, there are going to be more opportunities for those new variants to spread.”

Yet, there is much to celebrate.

As of Friday, more than 37% of King County adults are fully vaccinated. Some 60% of King County residents -- 1.1 million people -- have received the first dose.

And still more people are being encouraged to get their vaccines, with the offer of a selfie with the nation’s most famous infectious disease specialist, Dr. Anthony Fauci.

But African Americans were conspicuously absent on this day.

“I feel the message is getting out,” said Ollie Garrett, businesswoman and president of Tabor 100. “I think some people slowing up a little bit when the subject of what was going on with Johnson & Johnson occurred.”

But many others are here.

Sergio Rodriguez was asked what made him get his shot.

“Oh, I think just the overall fear of getting sick,” said the 39-year-old Seattle man, “or possibly getting someone I love sick without really knowing it.”

For anyone having trouble getting to a vaccination site, the Black business organization, Tabor 100, is offering free credits with Lyft, the ride-sharing service.

Next week, King County will get 200,000 doses, a fourth of them destined for Seattle.

Cox Media Group