From Public Health – Seattle & King County

As of March 17, 2021, the Washington State Department of Health has opened vaccine distribution through Phase 1b2. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) determines the distribution of vaccine for our state and eligibility for vaccination in phases. King County is currently in the state’s Phase 1a and Phase 1b, Tier 1 and Tier 2 for vaccine distribution.

Vaccination is available for the groups listed below regardless of insurance, citizenship, or immigration status. You will not be billed or charged for vaccination. The vaccine will be covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance, and the cost of vaccination will be covered for people who are uninsured.

Vaccination is currently open for people who are:

• Eligible for Phase 1a: all workers at risk of acquisition or transmission of COVID-19 in healthcare settings; long-term care facility staff and residents; and home health and care aides.
  
• Eligible for Phase 1b1:
  • Age 65 years and older
  • Age 50 and older if they live in a household where two or more generations live, (such as an elder and a grandchild), and meet these qualifications:
    • Cannot live independently and receives support from a relative or caregiver (paid or unpaid) or someone who works outside the home
    • Lives with and cares for a young child, like a grandparent with a grandchild.
  • PreK-12 educators and school staff
  • Child care workers, which includes:
    • Licensed family home child care providers, and the family members living in their home.
    • License-exempt family, friends, and neighbor providers that accept Working Connections Child Care subsidy. These in-home providers can serve up to 6 children.
    • ECEAP, Washington’s state-funded preschool providers. This is similar to the national Head Start program.
    • License-exempt school-age and youth development providers who have been providing care to school-age children since the pandemic began and schools were closed and moved to online or hybrid teaching.
      
• Not eligible in this phase (unless school or child care staff):
  • Someone younger than 50
  • Someone 50 and older who cares for a partner or friend
  • An older adult who is able to live independently and is taking care of their kin/children.
    
• Eligible for Phase 1b2:
  • High-risk critical workers in certain congregate settings in the following industries:
    • Agriculture
    • Fishing vessel crews
    • Food processing
    • Grocery store/Food bank
    • Corrections (prisons, jails, detention centers)
    • Court of law
    • Public transit
    • First responders not included in earlier tiers (except administrators or those who can work remotely)
    • Early learning a child care program workers in child care, youth development, and day camps that were not covered in Phase 1b1.
  • Pregnant people
  • People with a disability that puts them at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness.

Learn more about Washington’s vaccine prioritization guidance.