More Vaccine Doses Headed To Pharmacies Across Washington

SEATTLE — This week pharmacies across Washington will be seeing a significant boost in vaccine allotment through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.

The program sends vaccines directly to pharmacies for their use, which come in addition to the state's regularly-scheduled vaccine allotments. At a COVID-19 update conference Thursday, Washington's top health leaders confirmed the program would be sending 72,000 doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to pharmacies across the state.

Pharmacies participating in the program in Washington include Albertsons, Costco, Health Mart, Rite Aid, Kroger, and Walmart.

Health leaders warn that the pharmacies have been instructed to prioritize teachers, school staff and other child care workers right now, but anyone who is currently eligible for the vaccine can schedule an appointment to get a shot at one of these pharmacies.

Right now, eligible residents include:

• 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.

If you're eligible and need a shot, you can find one by using the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program's website at vaccinefinder.org/. The site allows users to enter their zip code and find pharmacies near them who are participating in the program. It also shows if those pharmacies currently have vaccine doses available.

While that program is ramping up, Washington is also seeing its vaccine allotment increase slightly. The DOH says the state expects to receive 325,000 vaccine doses next week. That's a bump up, but still not enough to meet demand: Washington providers say they can administer up to 410,000 shots each week.

Unsurprisingly, the increasing allotments both to the state and through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program have contributed to an increase in vaccines administered. In Washington, an average of 46,119 doses were administered each day last week — a rate that would have been unthinkable just months ago.

It's not all good news though. Though the new case counts have flattened once again, the baseline number of new cases is still higher than it ever had been before the winter surge. A fourth wave would likely rise the baseline again, and that plus the recent confirmation of two COVID-19 variants in Washington state have health leaders unsteady.

"We're at a high rate post-third wave, we're starting to see these variants," said State Epidemiologist Scott Lindquist. "I'm really concerned about where this sets us up for the future."

That's why health officials continue to urge everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated as quickly as possible.

"If you're age 65 and older, and you haven't received your vaccine, now is the perfect time," said Assistant Secretary of Health Michele Roberts. "Eligibility expands later this month. So beat the crowds and get your dose this week."

State health leaders expect the next phase of vaccinations to begin March 17.

That next tier, Phase 1B2, makes a half dozen more groups eligible for vaccination — largely essential employees who work in congregate settings. It includes:

• Workers in agriculture and food processing.
• Grocery store workers.
• Public transit employees.
• First responders, law enforcement, and firefighters.
• Corrections employees at jails and detention centers.

Until that happens, however, health officials say they're focused on getting the most vulnerable residents vaccinated.

"While we've made an incredible amount of progress, there's a lot more work to do," said Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah. "Do not hesitate, vaccinate."