EVERETT — More than 70% of Washingtonians 65 and older are fully vaccinated, state data show.
And newly eligible youngsters are quickly snagging appointments at local mass vaccination sites.
Local leaders say that getting everyone in between to do their part and get vaccinated is especially important if people want to see COVID-19 restrictions lifted before the end of June.
“Adults under age 50 can really be the drivers of that, and we need them to be,” Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management Director Jason Biermann said.
Last week, Gov. Jay Inslee said that if 70% of adults receive at least one shot, he’ll drop most of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions on businesses and social activities ahead of June 30.
So far, nearly 60% of Washingtonians 16 and older have received at least one shot.
“There are so many moving parts, so it’s hard to really make a prediction, but I think we’re on track to be there at least by that date, if not before it,” county health officer Dr. Chris Spitters said Tuesday.
But of those 18 to 34, the state’s largest age group, the number drops to 46%.
“We need them to get caught up on getting vaccinated,” Biermann said. “We know they became eligible later, but vaccine is now readily available, and it’s easy to get your shot.”
In Snohomish County, children 12 to 15, who became eligible for the Pfizer vaccine last week, made up 46% to 61% of visitors at the county’s mass vaccination sites between Friday and Sunday.
“We’re very happy to see young folks getting vaccinated,” Biermann said.
And for the first time since March, Snohomish County’s COVID-19 case rate is on the decline.
The latest tally, which ended Saturday, shows 193 new virus infections per 100,000. That’s down from 226 per 100,000 the previous week.
“This is a welcome change,” Spitters said. “And we attribute this shift in large part to the continued increase in vaccination coverage, countywide.”
Additionally, businesses across the state are still waiting for instructions after Inslee said last week that vaccinated Washingtonians can be mask-free in most public settings.
The governor said he wants to clear the updated guidance with business leaders before releasing it.
“It won’t be today, or tomorrow, but it won’t be months, either,” Inslee said Tuesday. “We’ll try to give people some clarity as soon we can.”
Until then, local leaders are asking for patience as everyone adjusts to the new rules.
“We’ve been through a lot as a community and as individuals,” Spitters said. “Just as it took some folks a while to adopt mask usage last year, it may take some time before every fully vaccinated person is comfortable going without masks.”
Joey Thompson: 425-339-3449; jthompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @byjoeythompson.
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