One year of COVID-19 vaccines in Washington

One year ago, the first COVID-19 vaccine shipment arrived in Washington state, and since then, more than 11.3 million doses have been administered across the state.

More than 5.4 million Washingtonians have received at least one dose.

Vaccine eligibility expanded to include children as young as 5 this fall, and in less than six weeks, more than 158,000 children ages 5 to 11 received their first dose.

“I’m proud of how far our state has come over the past year. Getting millions of people vaccinated – and more than 1.3 million people an additional dose – is no easy feat. I want to send a heartfelt thank you to each and every person who has helped us achieve these milestones,” said Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, Chief Science Officer. “As we head into 2022, I want to encourage everyone to get vaccinated and boosted to protect yourself, your loved ones, and our community as a whole.”

“Seeing kids as young as 5 get their COVID-19 vaccines is another great illustration of the progress that has happened over the past year,” said Michele Roberts, Acting Assistant Secretary. “As a mother, getting my daughter vaccinated was one of the highlights of my year. Vaccines are keeping children safer in the classroom, protecting them when they’re with their friends, and helping us all stay healthy as we gather with loved ones this holiday season.”

Booster doses of the vaccine are now recommended for everyone 16 and older either six months after completing their Pfizer or Moderna series or two months after receiving their single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

More than 1.7 million eligible Washingtonians have not been vaccinated, which puts them at higher risk of getting seriously sick, being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19.

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