Washington Hits Vaccine Milestone: 2 Million Doses Administered

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington has administered more than 2 million doses of coronavirus vaccine across the state since immunization efforts began last December, and officials expect to hit yet another milestone at its mass testing sites later in the week. The state crossed the 1 million mark less than a month ago.

In a news release Monday evening, the Department of Health said its 1,400 enrolled providers had successfully used more than 80 percent of the state's vaccine deliveries, up from just 29 percent in early January.

"I am so grateful for the tireless efforts of our partners on the ground, including local health jurisdictions, community health centers, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and so many others," said Dr. Umair Shah, state Secretary of Health. "The successes we are seeing are a testament to their hard work over the past few months. As our race to vaccinate Washingtonians as quickly and equitably as possibly continues, these accomplishments are further proof that hope is on the horizon."

Washington's four state-run mass vaccination sites are poised to administer their 100,000th dose this week as the state works to ramp up its immunization efforts and expand eligibility to more groups.

According to DOH, the sites in Spokane, Ridgefield, Wenatchee and Kennewick now provide about 10 percent of the state's total vaccinations each week. The four facilities are staffed with help from the Washington National Guard and other local health partners. In the next week, at least three plan to shift back to providing first doses after the state finishes clearing its backlog in second doses.

The two latest milestones follow weeks of progress in the state's vaccination efforts, despite long-term supply chain challenges. Last Friday, state health leaders announced they had met their goal of averaging more than 45,000 doses each day across the state — a feat accomplished less than two months after the target was announced.

As of Saturday, more than 17 percent of the state's total population had received at least one dose, and about 10 percent are fully vaccinated.

Under a new federal directive, all teachers, child care workers and other educational staff now qualify for vaccine appointments. State officials encourage educators to book appointments through six participating pharmacies, which receive their shipments via a separate federal program.

Washington will expand eligibility to more priority groups beginning March 22 and adding others through April.

The federal government's three-week forecast shows a gradual increase in deliveries for Washington, slated to hit 327,000 doses by the last week of March. Later this month, Seattle plans to open a mass vaccination site the Lumen Field Events Center, with plans to scale up as supply increases, until it can vaccination 21,000 people daily.

Review Washington's vaccination progress on the state dashboard, and learn more about how and where to get vaccinated via the Department of Health.