Seattle gets 50,000 more doses of COVID-19 vaccine this week

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan believes strong vaccination efforts could lead to greater immunity among the population by the end of May.

SEATTLE – The city of Seattle will receive an additional 50,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine this week. This allocation is the largest weekly amount received to date.

The vaccines are set to help the city deliver 17,000 first doses in the coming week. These doses will be distributed at Seattle’s four vaccination sites in West Seattle, North Seattle, Rainier Beach and the Lumen Field Event Center.

“If these levels of supply and demand in Seattle continue, we could fully vaccinate 70% of our workers and residents by the end of May,” said Jenny Durkan, Seattle mayor, in a press release distributed Monday. “The next two weeks are key to our vaccination efforts: the city cannot end this pandemic on its own – we need your help.”

To get more vaccines into their arms, the City of Seattle will give people over 60 the opportunity to get vaccinated at one of its vaccination centers without an appointment. Mayor Durkan told KING 5 News how the city’s Good Neighbor Program allows people accompanying someone over 60 to get vaccinated.

Like any city in the country, Seattle struggles to get their hands on vaccine doses on a weekly basis.

“I’ve been borrowing, begging, and stealing since the beginning of the year to get Seattle the vaccines we need,” said Durkan. “I’m really happy to have great partners in the Governor, County Executive, King County, Healthcare, and the White House, and so a lot came together.”

Durkan said that large weekly allotment still won’t be enough to meet full needs in Seattle and King Counties.

“Remember that many people will get their first doses. And we’re going to need so many second doses. So here in Seattle we will continue to push for as many vaccines as possible, ”Durkan said. “We have great partnerships with Seattle, King County Public Health, the Department of Health, and our community organizations. Together we can make Seattle healthy again. “