King County is opening new community vaccination sites in Auburn and Kent to help speed up the fight against COVID-19.
According to a Public Health — Seattle & King County press release, the vaccination sites — located at the Auburn General Services Administration Complex (2701 C. St. SW) and the Kent ShoWare Center (625 W. James St.) — opened Feb. 1.
Here’s what you need to know about how to get your vaccine.
AM I ELIGIBLE?
Plateau residents that are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the Auburn vaccination site must be at least one of the following:
• 75 years old or older;
• 50 years old or older, but unable to live independently and receiving care from a caregiver, relative, in-home caregiver or someone who works outside the home
• 50 years old or older, and living with and caring for kin (examples include caring for a grandchild, niece or nephew. This does not include parents living with their child); or
• A family caregiver or home care worker taking care of someone age 50 or older who cannot live independently. The caregiver or home care worker does not need to be 50 or older;
“Appointment availability will expand to individuals age 65-74 as vaccine supply increases,” the press release reads. “Older adults in south King County are at particularly high risk, as rates of COVID-19 in many parts of south King County have been nearly twice as high compared to the county average.”
HOW DO I REGISTER?
The Auburn and Kent vaccination sites are by appointment only; you can register for an appointment by heading to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/vaccine/distribution.aspx.
“Currently, both vaccine supply and appointments are limited. Residents may experience delays, or it may take time before appointments are available due to anticipated high demand,” the press release reads. “This will get easier as the vaccine supply increases.”
You can also register by phone by calling Washington state’s COVID-19 Assistance Hotline at 1-800-525-0127, then press #.
COVID-19 IN ENUMCLAW
While coronavirus cases in King County are on the decline, the positive case rate in Enumclaw continues to hold steady.
As of Friday, Jan. 29, the city has experienced a total of 551 positive COVID-19 cases, the majority of which occurring between November 2020 and February 2021.
Hospitalizations remain an occasional occurrence, with six having been reported since the beginning of the year. This brings Enumclaw’s total hospitalizations to 51.
There have been no new deaths since 2021 began, leaving the total number of deaths at 29.
Enumclaw’s positive case rate, the rate of hospitalizations, and death rate remain higher than King County as a whole.
