VIDEO: West Seattle’s COVID-19 test site doubles briefly as vaccination site

3:51 PM: Today the city’s COVID-19 test site in the Southwest Athletic Complex parking lot doubled as a vaccination site. As mentioned in our pandemic-news roundup last night, the city joined with community-partner organizations El Comité, Villa Comunitaria, the Senior Center of West Seattle, and the Seattle Housing Authority to set up a “pop-up” clinic. As with the test site – which has administered more than 71,000 tests since opening in August – the shots were given by firefighters, including West Seattle resident Roger Webber:

Media were invited for a briefing with Mayor Jenny Durkan, Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, and community-org reps including Senior Center of WS director Amy Lee Derenthal (below left).

The mayor reiterated the commitment she had made to Herbold, that the city will open a mass vaccination site in West Seattle (as well as others around the city) when vaccine supplies allow. They’re receiving a sliver of the regional allotment so far – in the coming week, for example, 1,500 first doses and 1,000 second doses. SFD personnel also continue traveling as mobile teams to facilities such as adult-care homes. The pop-up clinic was focused on high-risk older Latinx residents from West Seattle and South Park, the city explains, noting that, “In King County, Latinx residents make up 24.1% of confirmed COVID-19 cases and 17.7% of hospitalizations, despite making up 10% of King County’s population.” Seattle Channel recorded today’s briefing; we’ll add their video when it’s available.

4:27 PM: Added.

beanie February 18, 2021 (3:59 pm)

I really hope the mayor is able to make something like this more permanent, or at least occur on a regular, predictable basis, and not just a photo op moment.

Matt P February 18, 2021 (4:04 pm)

Just an FYI and I know you’re quoting, but most Latinos do not prefer Latinx. It’s unpronounceable in Spanish. My wife who is Latina does not like it at all. See this article among others: https://www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/2020/08/11/about-one-in-four-u-s-hispanics-have-heard-of-latinx-but-just-3-use-it/

WSB February 18, 2021 (4:35 pm)

Yes, I’m well aware there is no standard term, as discussed in the AP Stylebook. This term is what the city uses, and I chose to use it, as we default to gender-neutral terms when gender is not relevant – saying, for example, “Latinos and Latinas” would not cover everyone. – TR

anonyme February 18, 2021 (5:03 pm)

There was no notice of this event, including from the Senior Center where I am on a vaccination notice list. This was a staged photo-op, pushing a political agenda while attempting to create a smokescreen to cover the fact that West Seattle still has no set vaccination site. “Pop-up” shouldn’t mean a complete surprise to everyone. Our region’s lack of a centralized availability system (defended by Dow) is nothing short of shameful, as is the politically preferential distribution of the vaccine.

WSB February 18, 2021 (5:12 pm)

How the participants were chosen is explained in the briefing. The SC was given space for 50 people over 75 who do not have internet access. – TR
JES February 19, 2021 (11:30 am)

Per Seattle Times “Outreach and registration of eligible elders for the pop-up clinic was provided by Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs and the Aging and Disability Services division, as well as community organizations El Comite, Villa Comunitaria, the Senior Center of West Seattle and the Seattle Housing Authority.” so maybe take up your frustration with the Senior Center, if you were in fact eligible for this event. Are you an elder Latino?

ddd February 18, 2021 (9:38 pm)

I’m not able to watch the video, so apologies if this is covered there. But since the current vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) require two shots, is this clinic going to “pop up” again in a few weeks so the people who got vaccinated today can get their second shot? If not, how are those people going to get their second shot?

Denise February 18, 2021 (9:57 pm)

I CANNOT find my 88 year old mother a vaccination. She is on 3 waiting list. I cannot sit on website hours a day to find a shot. Because I need to work. This is a problem.

EBM February 19, 2021 (8:10 am)

Try covidwa.com. A few volunteers got together to assemble all the info on one site. Enter your zip code as it lists the entire state and changes a lot.
Katrina March 5, 2021 (1:14 pm)

Try the Facebook group Find a COVID Shot WA. Lots of people who have searched for long periods are successful in securing appts within a day or two. Given your mother’s age, you would qualify for direct assistance from a group volunteer.

anonyme February 19, 2021 (7:52 am)

Even if you are a computer-savvy senior, it does no good to find a sudden opening if you have no immediate transportation, which is the case with many seniors. This system is an absolute horror show.