March 3, 2021
COVID-19 Updates from Skagit County
Vaccine Availability at the Fairgrounds
Skagit County Public Health made first-dose appointments available for the week of March 1st on Saturday, February 17 at 9 a.m. New appointment availability is announced each Saturday at 9:00 a.m. on our webpage: www.skagitcounty.net/covidvaccine.
Those who do not have internet access or do not speak English as a first language are encouraged to call our Vaccine Hotline at 360-416-1500. Both English and Spanish speaking call takers are available, and would be happy to assist you. The Hotline is operated 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Vaccine Eligibility Update
Effective immediately, WA teachers and staff for pre-K and K-12 schools, and workers in childcare/daycare settings are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Go to www.findyourphasewa.org to determine your eligibility.
Federal Pharmacy Program
The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 Vaccination is a collaboration between the federal government, states and territories, and 21 national pharmacy partners and independent pharmacy networks that brings more vaccine to local communities, including Skagit County. For a list of participating pharmacies near you, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/retail-pharmacy-program/participating-pharmacies.html. If you have questions about whether or not your local pharmacy will be providing the vaccine, check your pharmacy’s website.
Registration Assistance Available in the Community
Skagit Gleaners has opened their facility to assist individuals with registering for vaccine appointments (when appointments are available). They are located at 1021 Riverside Drive, Mount Vernon, and are open 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturdays.
Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
The single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine was approved for emergency use by the FDA on February 27th. The Washington State Department of Health has said that once reviewed and approved by the Western Pact, the State will receive roughly 60,000 doses in addition to regular shipments of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
COVID-19 Variants
There are two variants of the COVID-19 virus that have been found in Washington so far, the B117 variant and the B1351 variant, also called the ‘UK Variant’ and ‘South African Variant’ respectively. At present, the B117 has already been found in Whatcom and Island counties. B117 and B1351 are more contagious, but so far studies suggest that currently in use vaccines are still effective against both strains.
Protecting yourself against these variants takes just being more vigilant with the same precautions we have already been practicing, including wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently, avoiding social or otherwise unnecessary gathering, and keeping six feet apart from anyone you don’t live with.
Roadmap to Recovery
Governor Inslee altered his plan again yesterday. All counties in the State will pause in Phase 2 for a few weeks as the State evaluates a Phase 3 plan. This is partially due to some new, emerging information about COVID-19 variants, and a need to predict their impact on the State.
We do not know at this time, what a Phase 3 could potentially look like, when it would be announced or what metrics would be used to decide progress.
Additional Resources.
- For more information about the Skagit County COVID-19 Clinic at the Fairgrounds, please visit: skagitcounty.net/COVIDvaccine.
- Need assistance? Call the Vaccine Hotline at (360) 416-1500.
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