Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan recently announced a two new efforts to increase vaccinations among older adults in King County. Effective immediately, all people 60 years-old and older are able to walk-in to the Community Vaccination Hubs in Rainier Beach and West Seattle and get vaccinated without an appointment. The City also launched the “Good Neighbor” program to increase vaccinations among older adults throughout King County, particularly among those with digital and/or mobility barriers.
“Across Seattle and King County, we’ve done excellent work to ensure our older community members get vaccinated. However, we must make another focused effort to ensure our most vulnerable community members get the vaccine, particularly as eligibility expands and new variants spread through our region,” said Durkan.
“We are working to remove as many barriers as possible to accessing vaccine for older adults who are more likely to have severe outcomes from COVID-19,” said Patty Hayes, Director of Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Older adults may have more challenges navigating online scheduling systems and transportation and it’s important that trusted neighbors, family and friends can help them navigate those processes. We at Public Health are inspired by the creative energy our community has devoted to this challenge, and how novel approaches such as the City of Seattle’s Good Neighbor program are helping to close gaps in vaccine access.”
Effective immediately, any person who live or works in King County and is at least 60 years-old can walk-in and get vaccinated at the SFD Community Vaccination Hubs in Rainier Beach and West Seattle.
The City also launched the “Good Neighbor” program which builds on Seattle and King County’s successful efforts to vaccinate older adults. While many older adults in Seattle have been vaccinated, Central Seattle currently has the lowest vaccination rate among people 65 years-old and older in all of King County. In addition, many older adults face technology and/or mobility barriers that make accessing a vaccination appointment difficult. As more contagious COVID-19 variants spread through the region, it’s all the more critical that every single older adult receives a vaccine.
Good Neighbor is an innovative walk-in vaccination program that allows older adults and the person accompanying them to get a vaccination at the Rainier Beach (Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Atlantic City Boat Ramp at 8702 Seward Park Ave S, 98118) or West Seattle (Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 2801 SW Thistle St, 98126) vaccination sites without an appointment. Here are the parameters for the Seattle program:
- One patient must be at least 60 years-old, the other must be at least 16 years-old.
- Neither patient has received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
- Neither patient has an appointment.
- Only one additional person gets vaccinated with the 60 year-old patient.
The Good Neighbor program is available immediately and currently only applies to the Rainier Beach and West Seattle hubs. Each day, SFD will vaccinate as many qualifying walk-ins as possible, supply permitting. However, a same-day vaccination for all qualifying walk-ins is not guaranteed. If no more vaccine is available, SFD will sign the patients up for the next available vaccination appointment.
“I have a call to action for the younger generation living in our City: Please join in the Seattle Fire Department’s mission of saving lives and become a community first responder for someone close to you. Whether it’s your parent, grandparent, friend, relative or neighbor, each of us know someone in our circle who is 60+ and still needs the vaccine. Bring them to our sites, and you too will get vaccinated. You could help save someone’s life,” said Fire Chief Harold Scoggins.
