May 14, 2021
For Immediate Release
Jefferson County Public Health & Jefferson Healthcare
360-385-9400
PORT TOWNSEND – Since December 2020, Jefferson Healthcare has successfully administered over 23,000 vaccines to our community. With support from our community partners, this effort made it possible to provide almost 68% of those 16 years of age and older with at least their first dose of vaccine. Over 50% of our population is fully vaccinated, giving Jefferson County the highest rate in Washington state.
As the community continues to vaccinate against COVID-19, the need for Jefferson Healthcare to host mass vaccination clinics with a drive thru clinic model is coming to an end. Instead, our community will benefit from options that offer added convenience, like walk-in and pop-up clinics in various locations throughout the community. Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management and Jefferson County Public Health, and three area pharmacies (Safeway, QFC in Port Hadlock, and Tri-Area Pharmacy in Port Hadlock) will accommodate the community with targeted COVID vaccination events. In time, Jefferson County Public Health will transition to offering COVID-19 vaccinations along with other routine immunizations at their main clinic in Port Townsend.
Wednesday, May 19th will be the last mass vaccination Jefferson Healthcare has planned for the foreseeable future. The shift away from the Drive Thru Immunization Clinic as the primary vaccinator will allow Jefferson Healthcare to focus on our community’s immediate and long-term medical needs and bring critical staff back into the clinics and hospital to provide important medical care. Jefferson Healthcare will continue to administer scheduled second dose vaccines through the Drive Thru Immunization Clinic, as needed, and work to transition first dose appointments to routine care during office visit appointments.
Community members who experience COVID-like symptoms are encouraged to call the Jefferson Healthcare COVID Nurse consult line, implemented in March of 2020, to address COVID-like symptoms /respiratory illness concerns. Nurses will determine if testing is required. Jefferson Healthcare will continue to offer pre-procedure COVID-19 testing as well as medically necessary testing for those who have COVID symptoms through the Drive Thru Testing Station. 360.344.3094
Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management will continue to host a phone bank staffed by community volunteers to assist with vaccine access and appointment scheduling, 360.344.9791. Jefferson County Public Health will list available vaccine locations in the county on our website: https://jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/1529/COVID-19-Vaccine
The partnership between our community agencies and the enthusiastic community has been instrumental in the success of the Jefferson County vaccine rollout. Everyone 12 years and older is encouraged to vaccinate against COVID-19 and help stop the spread of the disease. Our goal is for 70-80% of Jefferson County residents to be fully vaccinated by the end of Spring.
Upcoming vaccination events
May 15 – Jefferson Healthcare Drive Thru – Pfizer 1st dose, 12+
May 15 – Chimacum High School – Moderna 2nd dose, 18+
May 15 – Chimacum High School – Johnson & Johnson, 18+
May 19 – Jefferson Healthcare Drive Thru – Pfizer 1st dose, 12+
May 22- Chimacum High School – Johnson & Johnson, 18+
All previously scheduled 2nd dose clinics at Jefferson Healthcare Drive Thru still stand
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Jefferson County Public Health
Always Working for a Safer and Healthier Community