Vaccine disbursement continues

DAVENPORT – As the Lincoln County Health Department and local school administrations grapple with the COVID-19 outbreak in the last week, the positive news of more vaccine disbursement rang true as well.

3,859 vaccine doses had been given in Lincoln County as of March 30, according to the state Department of Health’s website. For the last two weeks, the vaccine allotment has been expanded to include those in congregate settings. This may include grocery store workers, agriculture workers and food processors. On March 31, the phase expanded to include anyone 16 or older with two or more co-morbidities.

The county has received approximately 200 first doses per week and is allotted the same number of booster doses, but some booster doses haven’t been used to that capacity as the health department works on wrapping up second doses from three to four weeks ago, health administrator Ed Dzedzy said.

Local health staff hope that in the next two weeks, anyone in the county can get their name on the waitlist to receive a vaccine. That hope was boosted by Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement March 31 that starting April 15, all Washington adults will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

The health department will hold clinics this week in their office and a booster clinic in Wilbur April 2. Next week, more booster clinics are expected in the health department office.