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Islanders line up to take advantage of booster clinics

Published 1:30 pm Wednesday, October 12, 2022

By VashonBePrepared

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Two-person teams operate each vaccination station at Vashon’s weekend clinics. The volunteers work under the medical supervision of a lead vaccinator who is an ARNP and Vashon Pharmacy employee (left). VIFR Captain Brodie Smith welcomed a steady stream of people to one clinic, asking COVID screening questions and handing out brand new high-quality masks before they entered the vaccination area (top right). MRC volunteer Dr. Bonny Olney gave vaccinations at one of the stations, while MRC volunteer Lisa Crosby ARNP recorded them electronically for patient records (bottom right) (Rick Wallace Photos).

More than 2,200 Vashon residents have received the latest Omicron-targeted booster vaccinations.

That total has been achieved in just one month since the booster became available to Vashon Pharmacy. It includes the weekend clinics being conducted in partnership with the VashonBePrepared coalition, as well as the weekday vaccinations scheduled inside the pharmacy.

Total Vashon vaccinations are actually somewhat higher because Vashon residents have also been getting vaccinated at the island’s Sea Mar clinic and many others have gone to mainland pharmacies and health care providers.

In fact, Vashon leads King County for up-to-date COVID vaccination, a vaccination leadership position it has held pretty consistently ever since vaccines were first made available a year and a half ago.

The data dashboard at Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) shows that Vashon’s seniors are vaccination rock stars. No other King County region comes close to Vashon for senior vaccination. The island’s 65+ population has broken through 95% vaccination, nearly universal coverage — that’s 20 to 50 percentage points higher than any other region of King County as shown on the PHSKC dashboard.

By contrast, only about one-third of Vashon’s 50 to 64 age group has received the Omicron booster. Vashon’s 50 to 64 group is comparable to, or a bit above average, for that age group in King County.

Overall, across all age groups, Vashon residents are vaccinated at a rate nearly 10 points higher than the general county population, but the island still has a ways to go. Only 53% of Vashon’s vaccine-eligible population is up-to-date, although that’s well above the 43% figure for all King County residents.

The timing is good for getting the new booster now, giving the vaccination time to take full effect in time for holiday travel and gatherings.

More Appointments Opening Up, but Time is Running Out

There are still appointments available for the coming weekend, although the convenient weekend clinics may wind down soon. Slots are opened in pace with the demand and the intense interest in the early days of availability has eased somewhat.

Vaccinations at the weekend clinics at the high school and during the week at the Pharmacy are by appointment only. There is no drop-in vaccination service. If the online appointment page is closed, keep checking back because new appointments are opened on a rolling basis as vaccine shipments arrive.

There’s a checkbox for getting your seasonal flu vaccine at the same time.

The weekend high-capacity community vaccination service for adults is being offered by Vashon Pharmacy, in partnership with the VashonBePrepared coalition.

Participants include members of Vashon’s Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR). The clinic space is being provided by Vashon Park District and Vashon Island School District.

School Vaccination Clinics Underway

Students and youths aged 12 and older are able to get their Omicron-targeted COVID booster vaccinations during the school day at Vashon Island School District (VISD) schools. Both VISD and non-VISD students are invited, and the vaccines are offered at no cost to recipients.

It’s not too late for high school kids to reserve a school-day vaccination slot but time is running out. The high school signup deadline is 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19.

By state law, students younger than 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian to be vaccinated and that’s part of the signup process, along with a quick series of pre-vaccination screening questions. To make an appointment for a high school-age child, go here. Those who lack internet access can obtain paper registration forms in English or Spanish at Vashon Pharmacy or the Vashon High School offices.

The school day vaccination clinic for middle school students takes place Friday, Oct. 14, but the deadline for reserving a slot and providing parental permission has already passed. Middle schoolers can still get boosters at Vashon Pharmacy or their healthcare provider.

Prospects for Child Boosters

There’s still no firm date for when children under 12 will be able to get the Omicron-targeted COVID vaccine.

However, federal authorization could be granted by the end of this month for 5- to 11-year-olds, according to the fall vaccination operational planning guide released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

A CDC official indicated that approval for children aged 6 months to 5 years is a few months away.

A version of this report containing current local COVID statistics can be read, in English and Spanish, at tinyurl.com. For more information, visit VashonBePrepared’s Facebook page or website, vashonbeprepared.org.

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