SEATTLE — Thousands of vaccination appointments Seattle and King County are open to those who need one.
Vaccine supply is outpacing demand, and that has health officials concerned. As a result, there is now a big push from city and county officials, urging people to get vaccinated.
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Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said 12,000 slots are available.
State, local, and federal officials are trying to fight against waning demand for the vaccine and possibly some hesitancy to get vaccinated.
They want as many people as possible to use vaccination sites like the one at the Lumen Field Event Center. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra visited the site on Wednesday, which is the largest civilian-run vaccination site in the U.S. and can vaccinate up to 22,000 people a day.
What’s concerning officials are statistics that show 13% of people who got their first dose are more than a week late for their second dose.
“We finally have enough vaccinations to get anybody who wants a vaccination a vaccination. If you have not signed up, sign up today,” said Durkan.
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So far about 30% people who live in Washington state are fully vaccinated, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
People can now get a second dose at the Lumen Field site even if their first dose was given elsewhere.
It’s also now easier to get vaccinated at the high-volume sites at Kent accesso ShoWare and the Auburn Outlet Mall. Anyone who is at least 16 can be vaccinated at either site if they live in King County. Those sites will begin accepting walk-in vaccinations, with no appointment necessary, for as many as 1,000 people per day at each location. Those slots will be available Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In addition, the sites will be adding more evening and weekend hours. On Sunday, May 2, the Auburn site will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Wednesday, May 5, the clinic will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To register for an appointment at those sites visit: https://covidvaccine.kingcounty.gov/. To book an appointment in Seattle, visit https://www.seattle.gov/mayor/covid-19/vaccinations. Or to find a vaccination site anywhere in Washington closest to your zip code, visit https://www.covidwa.com/.
With thousands of appointments available statewide, officials say now is the time to encourage your loved ones and even strangers to get vaccinated.