County Health Department expects to remain in current vaccination phase until spring

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — COVID vaccine supplies remain tight both locally and statewide.

Whatcom County Health Department Vaccine Planning Lead Amy Hockenberry says only about 23% of those who are currently eligible have gotten one dose so they expect to be in the current phase until at least March.

The current tier includes those 65 and older or 55 and living in a multi-generational household.

But she says they’re planning ahead with partners PeaceHealth, Sea Mar, Unity Care Northwest and Family Care Network to develop and prepare large-scale vaccination clinics once there is enough supply coming into the county.

Health Department Director Erika Lautenbach says we won’t see state-run mass vaccination sites like those that have been established in other counties.

But the 26 enrolled local providers say they will have the capacity to effectively vaccinate the local population once there is adequate supply.