Vaccine-mobile to bring COVID-19 vaccines to the people
Jun 2, 2021, 3:08 PM | Updated: Jun 3, 2021, 6:35 am
(Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
As cities and counties begin to phase out mass COVID-19 vaccination sites, the state Department of Health is launching a mobile vaccine clinic. Think bookmobile or ice cream truck, but full of Pfizer shots.
State not seeing more COVID breakthrough cases than expected
The new “Care-a-Van” mobile vaccine clinic will bring vaccines directly to people, especially homebound seniors, communities of color, and proportionately under-vaccinated or over-burdened communities. The vans won’t be exclusively used for vaccines, but also for bringing health care to people’s homes.
To submit a request to have a DOH Care-a-Van at your event, check out the DOH website.
DOH launches mobile vaccination service to support community organizations and increase vaccine access.
News release: https://t.co/SPXzTKmM5w pic.twitter.com/B1Rx9nQsjk
— WA Dept. of Health (@WADeptHealth) June 2, 2021
So far, the state DOH says 62% of Washingtonians age 16 or older have gotten a first dose — that equates to about 7 million doses administered. More than half of all Washingtonians 16 and older are fully vaccinated.
While mass vaccination sites were responsible for administering over 300,000 doses, and the state is on track to hit the goal of 70% who’ve initiated vaccination by June 30, the DOH says there is still a lot of work to do.
It reports a little under 30% of seniors in the state have not gotten the shot.
Currently, unvaccinated seniors are 13 times more likely than vaccinated seniors to be hospitalized, indicating that the COVID vaccine is doing its job.
Health officials say that Washington is coming down from a fourth wave in cases and they’re hopeful that trend will continue into the summer.
Moving forward, DOH will focus on meeting people where they are in the community and shifting focus on vaccine hesitancy among young adults.
View a list of COVID-19 vaccine locations. If you need help, call the COVID-19 hotline 1-800-525-0127, then press #.
