16+ Vaccine Eligibility Begins In WA: Here's What To Expect
SEATTLE — Exactly four months after the state's vaccination efforts began, a long-awaited day will finally arrive. Starting Thursday, all Washington residents 16 and older will qualify for COVID-19 vaccines, as the Evergreen State embarks on a major step in its journey to defeat the coronavirus pandemic.
State officials estimate 1.5 million Washingtonians become newly eligible on April 15, joining approximately 5 million who already qualified under previous tiers. While the state tailored previous phases toward the groups identified at highest risk, the only requirement for appointments now is that patients are at least 16 years old.
"[Thursday] is the day so many of us have been waiting for," said Michele Roberts, the state's lead vaccine planner. "The expanded eligibility will help us get people protected faster and help us slow the spread of disease."
Health officials hope universal eligibility will gradually help Washington achieve its ultimate goal of hitting 70 percent vaccination coverage — an immunity benchmark that experts believe will significantly curb transmission. So far, more than 23 percent of the state's population is fully vaccinated, and close to 35 percent have received at least a first dose, according to the latest state data.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/16-vaccine-eligibility-begins-in-wa-here-s-what-to-expect/ar-BB1fFduX
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