With new high-volume COVID-19 vaccination centers in neighboring cities, local residents are searching for vaccination options within Federal Way.
King County Public Health — Seattle & King County launched COVID-19 vaccination sites Feb. 1 at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent and the General Services Administration (GSA) Complex in Auburn. The sites in South King County target vulnerable older adults and have the capacity to administer 500 doses per day, six days a week.
In Federal Way, access to vaccinations has proven to be difficult, with many people unable to find openings or struggling to navigate the confusing process of finding a provider at all.
Federal Way resident Meg Lucido-Bradley Stegall said she is “frustrated beyond belief” after being unable to find any vaccination appointments through the CHI Franciscan or Virginia Mason hospital networks.
Tammy Oberg Lee, who lives in Federal Way, said she is unable to find her husband an appointment yet. He is on oxygen, which hinders their ability to get out and around to places, she said.
“All I want is him and all older or high risk people to get it, so our kids and I can get it. So frustrating,” she said.
Frustration is a common feeling among those searching for the shot.
Resident Deborah Feste-Kirk said her husband is a teacher over age 50 and should be a February recipient, “but with the lack of vaccines and staff, who knows when that’s going to happen?”
For others, getting a vaccine appointment has been relatively easy with only a minimum requirement of diligent, watchful eyes keeping track of appointment openings.
Resident Cindy Lu Vaughn said she and her husband searched for appointments last Tuesday evening, and were able to secure two appointments the following day, Jan. 27, at a local Fred Meyer pharmacy.
Brenda MacRae, a Federal Way resident of over 50 years, easily scheduled her appointment through CHI Franciscan and received her first dose on Jan. 26 at St. Francis Hospital. Several other residents commended the ease of scheduling and receiving their doses through St. Francis.
“You have to be patient … it literally takes hours of constantly scrolling the website,” said resident Sharon Nelson-Smith, who ended up getting her husband an appointment with a Lakewood location.
Washington state is in Phase 1B, Tier 1 of the vaccination distribution, which allows a vaccine for individuals ages 65 and over; all people 50 and older who also live in a multigenerational household; and populations eligible during phase 1A including health care workers at high risk for COVID-19 infection, first responders, people who live or work in long-term care facilities, and all other workers in health settings who are at risk of COVID-19.
To check your eligibility for a COVID-19 vaccine, visit the Washington State Department of Health Phase Finder online tool. The DOH recommends you print out or save a copy of your eligibility record to bring to your vaccination appointment.
Then, take a look at the Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 vaccination location map, which provides information of sites near you. The maps also provides contact information and alerts on appointment requirements.
As a warning, the DOH website states “inventory varies daily and the list of organizations below may or may not have vaccine. So please understand if they do not have vaccine available.”
Where to get a COVID-19 vaccination in Federal Way:
– St. Francis Hospital, 34515 9th Ave. S., Federal Way, WA 98003. Appointment required and can be made online at chifranciscan.org. Phone: 253-792-2385
– Sea Mar Community Health Center, 31405 18th Ave. S., Federal Way, WA 98003. Check vaccine availability at seamar.org/covid-vaccine.html before going to a clinic. Phone: 253-681-6600
– Costco Pharmacy, 35100 Enchanted Pkwy. S., Federal Way, WA 98003. To find an appointment opening at a Costco location, visit book-costcopharmacy.appointment-plus.com/ctx6gxv6/?&e_id=5031
