Thanks to the reader who told us today that they had received a notice that their child’s vaccine appointment at the city’s West Seattle clinic this weekend was canceled because there was no “pediatric provider.” Instead, they were offered an appointment at the city’s downtown clinic.

This turns out to be related to what we reported last Friday, that Seattle Fire had taken over the clinic from original provider Pliable, which hadn’t reached an agreement with the city for continued operation. At the time the city didn’t mention the resulting gap in pediatric coverage. So after the tip today, we asked Anthony Derrick, the program’s spokesperson in the mayor’s office, what was going on. He responded that “SFD crews are currently not administering the pediatric vaccine because the dosage procedure is different than other vaccines or boosters and would require additional training.” He added, “We are working to identify an alternate provider who can step in to assist with pediatric vaccines at our West Seattle clinic.” The city is still offering pediatric vaccinations at the downtown and Rainier Beach clinics, Derrick says, adding that at the latter, “more appointment slots will be added in the coming days.”

Here’s our first local pandemic roundup in two weeks – last week, Sunday night’s data was short because of the holiday, so we skipped a week..

KING COUNTY CUMULATIVE NUMBERS (through Friday, since they’re not updated on weekends):

*174,548 cases – 3,541 more than two weeks ago (6,170 total in West Seattle, up 128)
*8,828 hospitalizations – 129 more than two weeks ago (260 total from West Seattle, up 3)
*2,100 people have died – 34 more than two weeks ago (75 total in West Seattle, up 1)

VACCINATION RATE

As of two weeks ago, King County started making stats available for ages 5+, so we switched to that stat:

78.2% of King County residents 5+ have completed their vaccine series – up 1.2% from two weeks ago

By West Seattle zip code – note that these numbers are still NOT available as 5+, so they reflect 12+:
98106 – 86.7%
98116 – 90%
98126 – 82.1%
98136 – 91.5%
98146 – 82.2%

(Find more COVID-related King County stats here)

THE WEEK’S PANDEMIC HEADLINES

Variant – King County’s first case with the Omicron variant was announced on Saturday, one of three confirmed in the state. But health officials see no reason to panic, so far.

1st month of younger kids’ vaccinations – The state says 129,000+ kids 5-11 got vaccinated in the first month of eligibility.

City’s West Seattle clinic changes providers – As reported here Friday, the city is using SFD vaccinators at its West Seattle clinic after failing to reach a formal agreement with Pliable, the West Seattle-based service with which it launched the clinic less than a month and a half ago.

NEED TO GET TESTED IN WEST SEATTLE?

The UW Medicine testing service in the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex parking lot (2801 SW Thistle) continues to operate; you can make an appointment here. Meantime, the Curative testing kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW) is also still operating, as is a Curative location at Summit Atlas (35th/Roxbury). In addition, both West Seattle Walgreens stores are offering drive-up testing (35th/Morgan and 16th/Roxbury) – more info here.

When the mayor announced in October that the city would sponsor a new two-day-a-week COVID vaccination clinic at Neighborhood House High Point, the West Seattle mobile-health providers Pliable were announced as the vaccinating partner. Less than a month and a half later, Pliable is out and the Seattle Fire Department is in. We got a hint of this last night when Pliable sent word of three upcoming Sunday clinics it’s offering independently and mentioned something in passing about being unable to reach agreement with the city. So first today we checked with the mayor’s office, which has handled communication about the city’s clinics. Spokesperson Anthony Derrick told us SFD had taken over and said, “The City appreciates Pliable’s work as they were a valued partner in launching our West Seattle vaccine clinic and ensuring an equitable vaccine distribution. While we were unable to come to an agreement on a service provision contract moving forward, we appreciate their contributions to our vaccination efforts.” We then sought further comment from Pliable’s co-founders Tara Biller and Nicole Warner, nurse practitioners who live in West Seattle, and received this response:

Pliable has been running community clinics since the beginning of the year with a focus on meeting the needs of our community in a timely and equitable way. As a small, women-owned, local business we have been proud of the care we’ve provided to more than 10,000 community members. We are grateful for the support of the Neighborhood House and their shared belief that health is a human right.

We began our partnership with the city in good faith, without a signed contract in hand, to rapidly meet community needs; we have vaccinated 6,280 community members over the past five weeks. The city has been unable to reach an agreement with Pliable to date and they opted to cease the partnership. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the West Seattle community, our home, and will continue to serve our neighbors with exceptional care and, of course, lollipops. We are thankful for the WS community’s ongoing support.

Bottom line for now, the Friday/Saturday clinics continue, but with SFD providers (who administered the shots at the city’s original West Seattle clinic, the one at Southwest Athletic Complex that closed in June); appointment info is here. Pliable, meantime, is holding other clinics, including the next three Sundays, as announced here last night.

Received tonight from Pliable, the West Seattleite-owned mobile health-care service that’s been providing COVID vaccinations at Neighborhood House in High Point:

We wanted to let the West Seattle community know that Pliable is hosting family-friendly COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW) on the following dates:

Sunday, December 5th | 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Sunday, December 12th | 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Sunday, December 19th | 8:30 am-4:30 pm

J&J, Pfizer, Moderna — including boosters — are available for those that are eligible. Pediatric Pfizer (1st or 2nd doses) for ages 5+ to under 12 are also available.

ALL Walk-ups are welcome! If they would like to register for the clinic, here is the link.

In case you noticed/wondered – we’re skipping this round of weekly pandemic updates because the long holiday weekend broke the data flow. Usually we’d publish countywide and local stats on Sunday nights, but last night the King County dashboards only had been updated through last Wednesday; on Mondays, we usually publish local breakouts from the Seattle Public Schools dashboard, but that too has less data than usual, since all schools were out Thursday-Friday (and elementary grades were without classes all week because of family conferences). We’ll get back on track next Sunday/Monday.

Here’s our every-Sunday-night update on local pandemic stats and notes.

KING COUNTY CUMULATIVE NUMBERS (through Friday, since they’re not updated on weekends):

*171,007 cases – 2,125 more than a week ago (6,042 total in West Seattle, up 27)
*8,699 hospitalizations – 83 more than a week ago (257 total from West Seattle, unchanged)
*2,066 people have died – 16 more than a week ago (74 total in West Seattle, unchanged)

VACCINATION RATE

King County is now making stats available for ages 5+, so we’re switching to counting that as of this week:
77% of King County residents 5+ have completed their vaccine series

By West Seattle zip code – note that these numbers are NOT yet available as 5+, so they reflect 12+:
98106 – 86%
98116 – 89.5%
98126 – 81.5%
98136 – 90.9%
98146 – 81.6%

(Find more COVID-related King County stats here)

THE WEEK’S PANDEMIC HEADLINES

Boosters – Now available for everyone 18 and up, as explained in this state Health Department announcement.

‘Disability-friendly’ kids’ clinic – Announced at week’s end, “an upcoming disability-friendly COVID vaccine clinic in West Seattle, specifically for kids ages 5-11, scheduled for November 28 (with the 2nd dose event on Dec 19th). You must register for an appointment in advance. The nurses for this pediatric COVID-19 vaccine clinic are trained and skilled in working with kids with disabilities. They will have a separate area for kids with sensory needs. In-car vaccination may be possible if requested in advance. You can request accommodations through their online contact form.” It’s set for 8:30 am-4:30 pm next Sunday at Neighborhood House High Point, 6400 Sylvan Way SW. Register here.

NEED TO GET TESTED IN WEST SEATTLE?

The UW Medicine testing service in the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex parking lot (2801 SW Thistle) continues to operate; you can make an appointment here. Meantime, the Curative testing kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW) is also still operating, as is a Curative location at Summit Atlas (35th/Roxbury). In addition, both West Seattle Walgreens stores are offering drive-up testing (35th/Morgan and 16th/Roxbury) – more info here.

This week’s update of COVID-19 cases in Seattle Public Schools shows 25 percent fewer new cases than a week earlier – 45 newly reported cases this time, among the district’s 90+. schools, down from 59 new cases in last week’s update. Here are the school-by-school breakouts for our area, and the changes from a week earlier:

Denny International Middle School – 20, up 1
Chief Sealth International High School – 20, up 1
Roxhill Elementary – 12, unchanged
Genesee Hill Elementary – 11, unchanged
Highland Park Elementary – 11, unchanged
Madison Middle School – 10, unchanged
Gatewood Elementary – 9, up 3
West Seattle Elementary – 8, unchanged
Arbor Heights Elementary – 8, unchanged
Lafayette Elementary – 8, unchanged
Louisa Boren STEM K-8 – 6, up 1
Concord International (Elementary) – 6, unchanged
Sanislo Elementary – 4, unchanged
West Seattle High School – 4, unchanged
Alki Elementary – 3, up 1
Fairmount Park Elementary – 3, unchanged
Pathfinder K-8 – 3, unchanged
BRIDGES @ Roxhill – 1, unchanged

Here’s our every-Sunday-night update on local pandemic stats and news.

KING COUNTY CUMULATIVE NUMBERS (through Friday, since they’re not updated on weekends):

*168,882 cases – 2,210 more than a week ago (6,015 total in West Seattle, up 81)
*8,616 hospitalizations – 85 more than a week ago (257 total from West Seattle, up 4)
*2,050 people have died – 16 more than a week ago (74 total in West Seattle, unchanged again this week)

VACCINATION RATE

83.7% of King County residents 12+ have completed their vaccine series (up .4% in the past week)

By West Seattle zip code:
98106 – 85.5%
98116 – 89.2%
98126 – 81.1%
98136 – 90.6%
98146 – 81.1%

(Find more COVID-related King County stats here)

THE WEEK’S PANDEMIC HEADLINES

State health officials’ briefing – State Health Secretary Dr. Umair Shah led a briefing on Wednesday – here’s the video:

Among the toplines: More than 10 million doses of COVID vaccine have been administered in our state. Cases are “stable” statewide, though at a “high level.” That includes all age groups, kids too.

Vaccinations for kids – The eligibility of 5-to-11-year-olds continues to be in the spotlight. Seattle Public Schools has started its clinics (see the schedule here); the city’s new West Seattle clinic is administering vaccine to children but does not currently appear to have appointments available.

NEED TO GET TESTED IN WEST SEATTLE?

The UW Medicine testing service in the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex parking lot (2801 SW Thistle) continues to operate; you can make an appointment here. Meantime, the Curative testing kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW) is also still operating, as is a Curative location at Summit Atlas (35th/Roxbury). In addition, both West Seattle Walgreens stores are offering drive-up testing (35th/Morgan and 16th/Roxbury) – more info here.

Sunday night brings our weekly update on local pandemic stats and news.

KING COUNTY CUMULATIVE NUMBERS (through Friday – they’re not updated on weekends):

*166,672 cases – 2,453 more than a week ago (5,934 total in West Seattle, up 72)
*8,531 hospitalizations – 104 more than a week ago (253 total from West Seattle, up 5)
*2,034 people have died – 27 more than a week ago (74 total in West Seattle, unchanged)

VACCINATION RATE

83.3% of King County residents 12+ have completed their vaccine series (up .4% in the past week)

By West Seattle zip code:
98106 – 85%
98116 – 88.7%
98126 – 80.7%
98136 – 90.4%
98146 – 80.8%

(Find more COVID-related King County stats here)

THE WEEK’S PANDEMIC HEADLINES

Vaccinations for kids – On Tuesday, the feds authorized the Pfizer vaccine for 5-to-11-year-olds, and our state concurred Wednesday. Many clinics started administering it by week’s end, including the city clinic in West Seattle, but appointments are required. In comments, readers mentioned where they were finding appointments.

Seattle Public Schools clinics – The district set regional clinics for all SPS students and school-day clinics that are only for the students of the schools where they are held. Here’s the updated list of days, times, and locations.

County health officer’s briefing – Dr.Jeff Duchin held a briefing/Q&A session on Thursday – see it here.

NEED TO GET TESTED IN WEST SEATTLE?

The UW Medicine testing service in the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex parking lot (2801 SW Thistle) continues to operate; you can make an appointment here, though readers report walk-ups have been accepted. Meantime, the Curative testing kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW) is also still operating, as is a Curative location at Summit Atlas (35th/Roxbury). In addition, both West Seattle Walgreens stores are offering drive-up testing (35th/Morgan and 16th/Roxbury) – more info here.

5:48 PM: Now that CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has given her OK to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11, parents can start arranging to get their kids vaccinated. We’ll be building a West Seattle list and appreciate any tips. For starters, we’re checking with the operators of the city’s newly opened West Seattle vaccine clinic – open Fridays and Saturdays – who told us at the launch announcement last week that they expected to be ready to go when pediatric clearance was given. We’ll add whatever we find out – updates to come!

ADDED: Alice says Walgreens is making appointments for kid vaccinations.

ADDED WEDNESDAY: The city says its clinics, which would include the one at Neighborhood House, will start vaccinating newly eligible children this weekend – by appointment only. Here’s the appointment link.

ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: Thanks for the continued tips. A parent just scheduled through Bartell Drugs in White Center and says CVS (which has a location in Burien) plans to start offering vaccine appointments for that age group on Sunday. … Also, Seattle Public Schools has just announced vaccine clinics including three at West Seattle schools – details are here.

Sunday night brings our weekly update on local pandemic stats and news.

KING COUNTY CUMULATIVE NUMBERS (through Friday – they’re not updated on weekends):

*164,219 cases – 2,813 more than a week ago (5,862 total in West Seattle, up 93)
*8,427 hospitalizations – 83 more than a week ago (248 total from West Seattle, up 3)
*2,007 people have died – 37 more than a week ago (74 total in West Seattle, up 1)

VACCINATION RATE

82.9% of King County residents 12+ have completed their vaccine series (up .5% in the past week)

By West Seattle zip code:
98106 – 84.5%
98116 – 88.4%
98126 – 80.2%
98136 – 89.9%
98146 – 80.3%

(Find more COVID-related King County stats here)

THE WEEK’S PANDEMIC HEADLINES

New vaccination location – Friday and Saturday were the first days of operation for the city’s new West Seattle vaccination site, at Neighborhood House High Point. We had first word of the location on Monday and covered the briefing there on Tuesday. They’re accepting walk-ins as well as offering appointments.

Vaccine for kids under 12 – Vaccinations for ages 5-11 might be authorized as soon as this week. The new West Seattle hub’s operators say they’ll be ready to offer them as soon as they’re approved.

Outbreaks in schools – The state issued a new report this week. State health official Lacy Fehrenbach is quoted in the announcement as saying, ““While we never want to see an outbreak occur in a school setting, the relatively small size of outbreaks is an indication that schools are working very hard to respond when there are cases among students, teachers, and staff.”

Vaccination verification – Tomorrow marks 1 week since King County’s vaccination-verification rule took effect for.a variety of venues, as explained here. No

NEED TO GET TESTED IN WEST SEATTLE?

The UW Medicine testing service in the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex parking lot (2801 SW Thistle) continues to operate; you can make an appointment here, though readers report walk-ups have been accepted. Meantime, the Curative testing kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW) is also still operating, as is a Curative location at Summit Atlas (35th/Roxbury). In addition, both West Seattle Walgreens stores are offering drive-up testing (35th/Morgan and 16th/Roxbury) – more info here.