WA’s new vaccine plan includes everyone 65 and older as state aims to vaccinate 45,000 people per day

Everyone 65 and older can now get the COVID-19 vaccine as Washington includes more people in the next distribution phase and launches an ambitious plan to vaccinate 45,000 people per day.

>> Are you eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Washington? Follow this link and find out

The Department of Health said that it was getting reports that the site was crashing. Due to the high traffic, the site will occasionally give an error message.

Officials recommend to keep trying.

As of Monday, Washington is ready to move statewide into phase 1B of vaccinations, Gov. Inslee announced.

The state is loosening the requirements for phase 1B to include those over 65 in accordance with the latest CDC guidelines. It also now includes all people 50 and older who live in multigenerational households.

“About 80% of the COVID deaths in Washington have occurred among individuals 65 and older. Our vaccine prioritization reflects the need to protect these individuals quickly,” Inslee said.

The governor also announced a new state partnership with the private sector called the Washington State Vaccine Command and Coordination Center, with the goal of dramatically increasing vaccine distribution in the state.

Microsoft, Starbucks, Costco and Kaiser Permanente will all be assisting in vaccine delivery and distribution.

Currently, Washington is not administering COVID-19 vaccines as quickly as most other states and is in bottom 20 of the list, according to data reviewed by CBS News.

>> Most states vaccinating more people than Washington

The state is setting a new goal of 45,000 vaccinations per day. Inslee said that while the goal is higher than the current vaccine allocation from the federal government, trying to meet the goal will help get the proper infrastructure in place as doses increase.

More vaccination sites are getting set up statewide with the help from the National Guard. The state Department of Health will also be directing people to sites where dosages are currently underutilized.

“There are simply too many people who need access to COVID vaccines for this process to lag any further,” Inslee said.

In the next week, Spokane Arena in Spokane, the Benton County Fairgrounds in Kennewick, Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee, and the Clark County Fairgrounds in Ridgefield will all become vaccines sites.

Cox Media Group