Kitsap Public Health launching COVID-19 vaccine clinic; registration opens Monday

Jan. 23, 2021

You are receiving this message because you subscribed for COVID-19 updates from the Kitsap Public Health District. Find more local vaccine information at kcowa.us/vaccine

Kitsap Public Health launching community COVID-19 vaccine clinic; registration opens Monday

The clinic is available for people eligible under Phases 1a and 1b, Tier 1 of the state's vaccination plan. Appointments and documentation of eligibility are required. 

BREMERTON, WA — Kitsap Public Health District and the Kitsap County Emergency Operations Center, in partnership with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, will launch a COVID-19 vaccine clinic next week for people eligible under Phase 1a and Phase 1b, Tier 1. 

Registration opens at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 25 for appointment slots on Tuesday, Jan. 26, Wednesday, Jan. 27, and Thursday, Jan. 28. Patients must book appointments in advance and bring documentation of their eligibility to be vaccinated. Walk-ins will not be accepted. Registration information will be posted Monday at kcowa.us/vaccine

The clinic, located at the former St. Michael (Harrison) hospital in East Bremerton, is generously supported by St. Michael Medical Center, Kitsap County Medical Reserve Corps volunteers, Kitsap County Emergency Medical Services, and the Kitsap County Medical Society.

More than 600 volunteers answered a call to help staff the Bremerton clinic and future vaccine clinics. 

"We are proud and excited to open this clinic for our community just one year — nearly to the day — after the first COVID-19 case was reported in our state and nation," Kitsap Public Health District Health Officer Dr. Gib Morrow said. "It truly feels like a turning point in our fight against this pandemic."

"We are grateful to the many organizations and individuals who stepped up to make this clinic possible," Health District Administrator Keith Grellner added. "We knew it would take a community-wide effort to get Kitsap residents vaccinated, and that's exactly what is happening."

The state allocated about 2,000 doses of Moderna vaccine to Kitsap Public Health for next week. Appointments at the community clinic are expected to fill very quickly. Kitsap Public Health will announce additional vaccination opportunities as more vaccine is allocated from the state.

Kitsap Public Health and other vaccine providers in the community are receiving an overwhelming number of inquiries regarding COVID-19 vaccine. Please be aware that our capacity to respond to questions and provide technical assistance for our registration system is limited at this time.

WHO CAN GET VACCINATED?

People in phases 1a and 1b Tier 1 of the state’s vaccination plan are eligible for this clinic. Check your eligibility on the state’s Phase Finder tool.

Phase 1b, Tier 1

• Everyone 65 or older.
• People 50 or older who live in multigenerational households (two or more generations living together).

Phase 1a

• Healthcare workers
• Emergency responders
• People who live or work in long-term care facilities

Find detailed phase information here.

HOW DO I GET VACCINATED?

STEP 1: VERIFY YOU ARE ELIGIBLE 

• Go to FindYourPhaseWA.org and complete the questionnaire.
  • If you do not have internet or need assistance using the Phase Finder site, call 1-800-525-0127.
  • If you are eligible to get vaccinated now, Phase Finder will provide you with a certificate. Please print this certificate or save it to a smartphone or tablet to present to your vaccine provider. 
  • If you are eligible for a later phase of vaccination, you can sign up through Phase Finder to be notified when your phase begins. 

STEP 2: BOOK AN APPOINTMENT 

Registration for this clinic will not open until 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 25. We will post a registration link at kcowa.us/vaccine. Appointments will be available for Jan. 26, 27, and 28. Additional appointments may be opened for Friday, Jan. 29.

• Go to kcowa.us/vaccine and follow the link for "Vaccine Clinic Registration" (available Monday, Jan. 25)
  • When you are on the registration page, be sure to read all of the information before clicking "next."
  • You will be asked to verify your eligibility for the vaccine. Please answer truthfully. Vaccine supplies are limited and our county is working hard to ensure equitable, fair access to vaccine.
  • Select an available date and time and complete the registration form.
  • If your appointment is completed successfully, you will receive a confirmation email from "noreply@timetap.com."
  • If you do not have internet or need assistance using the registration portal, call Kitsap Public Health District's COVID-19 vaccine line at 360-728-2219 and leave a message. We will return your call as soon as possible. Please be aware that we are receiving an overwhelming number of vaccine inquiries and our capacity to answer questions and provide technical assistance for our registration system is limited.
  • Español: 360-728-2218

STEP 3: BE PREPARED FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

Be sure you have everything you need prior to going to the vaccination site.

• Every patient scheduled for an appointment must bring a copy of a Phase Finder certificate confirming their eligibility, AND one of the following:
  • Phase 1a patients: A badge or documentation of your status as a healthcare worker or emergency responder, or
  • Phase 1b, Tier 1 patients: An identification card (such as a driver's license) with your date of birth, if available. 
• Dress appropriately:
  • Cold temperatures, rain, and possibly snow are expected during the week. You may have a brief wait outdoors before your vaccine appointment. Dress in warm layers and be prepared for rain or snow. 
  • Wear a shirt underneath that allows easy access to your shoulders, such as a T-shirt or tank-top.
• Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and what to expect after your appointment. Download a fact sheet here.
• Do not register or come to an appointment if:
  • You received any type of vaccine in the past 14 days.
  • You are experiencing a respiratory illness, even if your symptoms are mild
  • You recently tested positive for COVID-19 or had close contact with a COVID-19 case in the past 14 days. 
  • Contact your regular healthcare provider if you have additional health concerns or have questions about whether it is safe for you to get vaccinated. 

WHERE IS THE CLINIC LOCATED?

The clinic will be located at the former St. Michael (Harrison) hospital, at 2520 Cherry Ave., Bremerton, 98310. Appointments are required. Walk-ins will not be accepted.

WHAT IF I CAN'T GET AN APPOINTMENT?

Due to immense demand for COVID-19 vaccine, we expect appointments at the community clinic to be filled very quickly. Kitsap Public Health will continue to receive vaccine allocations from the state and we will announce additional vaccination opportunities as they become available. There is no waiting list for this or future vaccine clinics. Sign up here for notifications by email or text.

If you are eligible to be vaccinated, you can contact your healthcare provider or review a list of other vaccine providers in our area to find vaccination opportunities. Supplies of vaccine are limited at this time and many healthcare providers are not able to schedule appointments. Please be patient when contacting these providers, as they are also experiencing a high volume of inquiries. 

KEEP FIGHTING COVID-19 

COVID-19 vaccination is underway in our community, but it will take months for vaccination to become available to the majority of Kitsap County residents. While we wait, remember to:

• Continue fighting the spread of COVID-19 by practicing the "Three Ws":
  • Wear a mask
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Watch your distance: stay at least 6 feet apart from people you don't live with
• Share accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccine and COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Stay informed about vaccine rollout and be ready to get vaccinated when eligible. 

Thank you for doing your part to keep our community healthy!

COVID-19 VACCINE RESOURCES Vaccine updates and information from the CDC Vaccine updates and information for Washington state Kitsap Public Health  vaccine updates and information

Questions?

• For general questions about the COVID-19 vaccine,call the state COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-525-0127 or email  covid.vaccine@doh.wa.gov
• If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccination in Kitsap County, email covidvaccine@kitsappublichealth.org. Be aware that we are experiencing a high volume of inquiries and will respond as soon as we are able.

MEDIA CONTACT: pio@kitsappublichealth.org