 On Thursday, Gov. Jay Inslee announced the state's projected timeline for making the next prioritized populations eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The announcement came at the same time the state announced it has administered more than 1.7 million doses at a daily average of 45,000, meeting the state's original goal for daily doses.
Phase 1B Tier 2
On the state's current trajectory, it is expected that on March 22, a little over two weeks from now, those in the second tier of Phase 1B will be eligible for the vaccine.
This applies to all critical workers who work in certain congregate settings will be eligible that day, assuming supply continues to increase. This includes workers in agriculture, food processing, grocery stores, public transit, fire fighters, law enforcement, as well as workers in corrections, prisons, jails or detention centers.
More people were added to this tier as well on Tuesday. People over 16 years old who are pregnant or who have a disability that puts them at high-risk will also be eligible.
Phase 1B Tier 3
Beginning in mid-April, the state Department of Health expects to make additional individuals eligible for the vaccine.
By April 12, people who are 50 or older with two or more comorbidities will be eligible for the vaccine.
Two weeks later, April 26, people who are 16 or older and have two or more comorbidities will be eligible.
Comorbidities are certain underlying medical conditions, like heart disease, cancer or diabetes, which could make someone more vulnerable to severe complications from COVID-19. For more on what comorbidities present an increased risk of complications from COVID-19, read the CDC's list.
That same day, April 26, people living in congregate settings will become eligible. This includes people living in correctional facilities, group homes for people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness that live in or access services in congregate settings.
These dates are projections. Expanding eligibility will depend on supply and progress in vaccinating earlier groups. For more on the state's vaccine prioritizations, visit the state Department of Health website.
 Gov. Jay Inslee toured a mass vaccination site in Puyallup on Thursday, and talked to healthcare workers and volunteers about their efforts, which are currently helping get 2,500 people vaccinated a day.
The governor also named one of the site's administrators, Sheri Bebbington, the honorary Washingtonian of the Day. Bebbington contracted COVID-19 last April, struggled with life-threatening complications, but survived. Now she helps thousands of people get vaccinated every day.
 Gov. Jay Inslee addressed the media Friday in Seattle to discuss state's efforts to support transportation maintenance and preservation. He was joined by WSDOT Director Roger Millar, Seattle DOT Director Sam Zimbabwe, Port of Seattle commissioner Fred Felleman and MLK Labor Council member Nicole Grant.
A properly functioning transportation system supports good jobs, helps businesses be successful and provides residents good quality of life by giving them more time home with their families. Currently, Washington transportation is not funded to make the right investments at the right time – weakening the system today and jeopardizing its future.
The governor hopes that by working with legislative transportation leaders who have each released possible revenue proposals, the Legislature can pass a transportation revenue package that prioritizes preserving existing infrastructure, improving safety, funding legal obligations and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through transportation investments.
The Legislature officially crossed the halfway mark in the 2021 legislative session this week. Both chambers have been busy with floor action, working to pass bills before the next major cutoff on March 9. Most bills will need to pass out of their chamber of origin before that cutoff in order to continue through the legislative process.
The Legislature also sent three COVID-19 response bills to the governor’s desk for signature this week. On Sunday, Gov. Jay Inslee signed SB 5272 which waives a 1-time annual liquor license fee for restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries, who have been hit hard by the pandemic. On Monday, Inslee signed two bills that will help ensure students facing significant COVID-19 related disruptions on their pathway to graduation would still be able to graduate when expected. School districts will be able to ask the State Board of Education to waive requirements for individual students who were otherwise expected to graduate but were unable to complete requirements, or make other accommodations.
The Legislature continues to move governor-request bills forward, with the House passing clean fuel standard legislation, increased worker protections, and a bill that would establish independent investigations into police use of deadly force.
The 105-day legislative session is set to run through the end of April.
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