Pierce County Health Announces First Clinic For Tiers 1B3 and 1B4

TACOMA — On Wednesday March 31, Washington will enter the next phase of its vaccine distribution plan, making an estimated 2 million more Washingtonians eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The same day, the Tacoma - Pierce County Health Department will be vaccinating hundreds of those newly-eligible residents with a free drive-thru vaccine clinic in Tacoma.

The event is the first time the vaccine will be available to Pierce County residents in Phase 1B Tier 3 and Tier 4. That includes:

• Anyone 16+ with two or more comorbidities.
• Employees in restaurants, manufacturing and construction.
• Anyone 16+ who lives in a congregate setting. Congregate settings include group homes, correctional facilites and shelters for residents experiencing homelessness.
• Everyone 60 to 64 years old.

Related: Next Tier Of Vaccinations Expanded, Will Begin March 31

Registration for the clinic will open at 10 a.m. Monday at the health department's website: tpchd.org/vaxtothefuture.  Registration opens before Washington officially rolls over into the next phase, but anyone who will qualify by the 31st can sign up to get their shot. The event will also serve anyone who was previously eligible for the vaccine but hasn't gotten their first dose yet, including:

• High risk employees in congregate settings like:
  • Agriculture and food processing.
  • Grocery stores.
  • Public transit.
  • First responders, law enforcement, and firefighters.
  • Corrections employees at jails and detention centers.

• Anyone 16 and older who is either pregnant or has a disability that puts them at higher risk.
• Health care workers.
• Medical first responders.
• Teachers and school support staff.
• Residents and staff of long-term care facilities.
• Anyone 65 and older.
• Residents 50 or older and who live in a multigenerational household.

Applicants should also work or live in Pierce County.

For those who have had a hard time registering online, the county is also now offering a vaccine hotline to help residents register for these vaccine clinics by phone. The call center can be reached at 253-798-8900, and is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.