All Washingtonians Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine

Today, April 15, all Washingtonians age 16 and up become eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Over the past four months since Washington began administering doses of the vaccination, the state has followed a tiered eligibility system, beginning with those most at risk of hospitalization and death.

Today’s open eligibility is driven in part by concerns over the trends emerging across the state and the possibility of a fourth wave of infections that may see greater numbers of more powerful virus variants, according to the Department of Health (WADOH).

Approximately 4.25 million doses have been administered in Washington to date, and about 24% of residents have been fully vaccinated. Washingtonians are advised to use the state’s online Vaccine Locator tool to register for an appointment or call the Vaccine Hotline at 1-800-525-0127, then press # (language assistance is available). On Tuesday, in accordance with CDC guidance, WADOH announced a temporary pause on the use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine after 6 patients nationwide appeared to experience blood clots. Only about 160,000 doses of this vaccine brand have been administered in Washington to date.

Earlier this week, Governor Inslee announced that Cowlitz, Pierce and Whitman counties are not meeting the metrics to stay in Phase 3 of his Healthy Washington Recovery Plan, and will roll back to Phase 2 on April 16. The two metrics used are case counts and hospitalizations. King County remains in Phase 3.