SEATTLE (November 17, 2021) – Following the launches of the City’s South Lake Union and West Seattle clinics, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan along with Seattle Fire Department Chief Scoggins, and community partners announced the location of the City’s third vaccination clinic at SouthEast Seattle Senior Center in the Rainier Beach neighborhood, in South Seattle. Today’s announcement follows reports that the FDA, CDC and WA DOH are expected to approve boosters for every individual 18+ who received Pfizer at least six months ago.
Beginning on Tuesday, November 30, individuals can receive their first, second, or booster shot of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Children ages 5-11 will also be receive first and second Pfizer doses at City sites with an appointment. The new South Seattle Vaccination Clinic will have the capability to administer up to 1,600 shots per week adding capacity to existing public health, health care, and pharmacy capacity.
“Since the onset of the pandemic, Seattle has led the way on COVID-19 with the fewest cases, hospitalizations, and deaths of any major U.S. city, and we did that by following the science. Science is telling us today that the best way to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our community from COVID is to get vaccinated. As we move into the holiday season and join with friends and family more frequently indoors, vaccinations become even more important,” said Mayor Durkan. “The new Rainier Beach Vaccination Clinic will add capacity to provide thousands of vaccines and boosters to South Seattle communities, supporting equitable access in one of our more diverse parts of the city. I’m grateful to the SouthEast Seattle Senior Center, Center for Multicultural Health, and Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization who are stepping up to support our neighbors at this critical juncture. Through our partnerships we can continue to ensure the City of Seattle remains one of the highest vaccinated cities in the country.”
“With our school-based and regional vaccination clinics, we have seen the positive impact that comes from making the vaccine more accessible to our families,” said Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors President Chandra Hampson. “Since last spring, when we partnered with the City and Public Health – Seattle and King County on three rounds of clinics, more than 12,300 covid vaccinations have been delivered. Having the Rainier Beach neighborhood clinic available will strengthen that effort, and create even greater access to the vaccine for those families who face the greatest barriers.”
“We know families need accessible vaccine information where they feel safe and from people they trust,” said Dr. Dwane Chappelle, Director of DEEL. “That means ensuring vaccine opportunities and information are available in culturally responsive ways that are rooted in strong community relationships. DEEL is proud to serve as a partner in this work to support families with information about COVID-19 vaccines to keep school communities healthy and thriving.”
The City is partnering with SouthEast Seattle Senior Center, the Center for Multicultural Health and the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization (MMPNO) for site location and clinic operations. The new Rainier Beach Vaccination Clinic will open Tuesday, November 30, and will operate most Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. The clinic will administer first, second, and booster doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Proof of insurance and identification are not required; proof of vaccination is recommended for those receiving second or booster doses. Details, including hours of operation and the vaccines offered, are available at www.seattle.gov/vaccine.
The City’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) has partnered with a number of community-based organizations to make available in-language helplines. These phone numbers are for immigrant and refugee residents who are limited English proficient and/or have limited access to the internet to ask questions and/or find vaccination opportunities. More information on the OIRA Vaccine Community Helplines is available here.
“We recognize that many members of the BIPOC community reside in the Rainier Valley. Those individuals are under vaccinated and are in need of a vaccination location that is in their community which is why we’re excited for this partnership,” said SouthEast Seattle Senior Center Executive Director Lynda Greene. “During the pandemic, the Center continues to partner with the City of Seattle to support the much-needed vaccination site in the Rainier Valley. We are in the community, and our community members know us and they trust us!”
“The Mary Mahoney Profession Nurses Organization has been providing education and outreach in the community since our founding in 1949. We know that our founders would be proud to see our organization as part of this collaborative,” said Executive Board President Joycelyn Thomas. “We do not underestimate the importance of providing much needed care and service in our community by our community and see this partnership as an opportunity to further one of our goals, providing service to our community.”
Signetic continues to host the City’s online registration and scheduling. No walk-up appointments will be available for children 5-11 and appointments for pediatric vaccines must be registered for in advance. Patients 12 or older are not required to register for an appointment at any City clinic, however, advance registration is recommended as it expedites patients’ on-site experience. The CDC is allowing patients to mix and match vaccine brands when getting boosters. Patients may choose to take Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J without concern about the original vaccine administered. Patients can register for an appointment at any City site at https://seattle.signetic.com/
As the first major U.S. city impacted by COVID-19, Seattle pioneered efforts for municipal response pioneered efforts for municipal response with innovative approaches to community support, testing, and vaccinations. On June 9, 2021, Seattle became the first major American city to vaccinate 70 percent of its residents 12 and older. To date, the City of Seattle has administered nearly 262,000 vaccinations. For more information, including how to get vaccinated today, visit the City’s vaccination website at www.seattle.gov/vaccine. The site contains vaccination information in seven languages, and in-language assistance is also available over the phone