Seniors, others worry they’re getting left behind as WA expands vaccine eligibility

Washington State announced major changes on Thursday about who will be eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine and when.

Educators are already eligible; essential workers who work in congregate settings for three hours or more a day, like grocery store employees and bus drivers, will be added to the list on March 12.

But the announcement also has seniors and others with underlying conditions worried they’re getting left behind.

Lua Hendrickson of Lake Stevens, who is 77 years old, says she and her husband have tried repeatedly to get an appointment without success.

“They’re all full. They don’t have the vaccine, it’s just one thing after another,” Hendrickson said.

With Thursday’s announcement, she only sees the competition to get a shot intensifying.

“I’m going, wait a minute! You know? There’s a whole lot of seniors that haven’t gotten it,” Hendrickson said.

During a press conference, the state’s Secretary of Health, Dr. Umair Shah, said he’s meeting with AARP to do outreach.

“As we’re advancing to this next level in the next few weeks, we are not leaving anyone behind,” Shah said.

Hendrickson says she’s an example that that’s not the case.

“They are leaving the elderly behind. You know?” she said. “I’m just frustrated.”

Another group will become eligible for the vaccine on April 12, to include people 50 and older with two or more comorbidities.

It’s a group where some say they’ve felt forgotten.

“Oh, very frustrating,” said Chris Floyd, who lives in Everett.

He is 52 and has multiple qualifying comorbidities.

“I have chronic diastolic heart failure, I’ve also got chronic kidney disease,” Floyd said.

He points out that based on the CDC’s original guidance on vaccinations, people with underlying medical conditions were slotted to get the shot right after those 65 and older.

“But every time it’s been updated, we keep getting pushed back. And you know, I don’t think that’s right,” Floyd said. “We feel that we don’t matter.”

He sees the ongoing struggle of people like Hendrickson and questions whether Washington can stick to this new timeline.

“I’ve lost faith about it,” Floyd said. “April 12? I think that’s kind of far-flung. Not going to happen.”

Gov. Jay Inslee says he’s talked with the Pfizer CEO directly and said he’s feeling confident the supply from the federal government will come.

“The Biden administration has been very transparent with us,” Inslee said. “There’s no reason they’ve given us to doubt this particular supply chain. So I feel pretty good about these dates.”

Find the latest list on who is eligible to get the vaccine and when in this document from the Washington State Department of Health.

Cox Media Group