State health officials release next phase of Washington’s COVID-19 vaccination plan

Washington state health officials released details Wednesday for the next phase of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan.

Although the plans are in place, Washington is still in phase 1A of the vaccination plan and will likely stay there for several more weeks. The Department of Health hopes that by releasing the next phase of vaccinations, it will help facilities plan for distribution.

Phase 1A includes health care workers, first responders and long-term care facility residents and staff.

The new information released included the timeline and who is eligible for the vaccine in phase 1B. As details for future phases are finalized, those will also be released.

A release from the Department of Health said the state hopes to move into phase 1B by the middle of January.

The timeline for phase 1B is as follows:

• Phase 1B1 - all people age 70 and older; people age 50 and older who live in multigenerational households
• Phase 1B2 - high risk critical workers 50 years and older who work in congregate settings: agriculture, food processing, grocery stores, teachers and school staff for grades K-12, childcare, corrections, prisons, jails, public transit, fire, law enforcement
• Phase 1B3 - people 16 years or older with two or more co-morbidities or underlying conditions
• Phase 1B4 - high risk critical workers in certain congregate settings under 50 years old; people, staff and volunteers all ages in congregate living settings (correctional facilities, group homes for people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness that access services in congregate settings)

Find more information at this link.

Cox Media Group