FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — A new COVID-19 vaccination site at the Federal Way Performing Arts Center opened Monday.
The site filled hundreds of appointments on its first day from people looking for first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots.
The site is a partnership between the Washington State Department of Health, the King County Executive's Office, Public Health – Seattle & King County, FEMA, the Washington State Emergency Management Division and King County Emergency Management.
"Washington, D.C. was pushing to get more booster resources out," said Mark Del Beccaro, the assistant deputy chief for Public Health - Seattle & King County. "They actually called the state, and the state and county partnered to get this done pretty quickly."
South King County has some of the highest COVID-19 infection rates in King County, along with the lowest vaccination rates. The site will allow public health officials to reach areas of Federal Way and Auburn with less vaccine access than other places in the county.
Del Beccaro hopes to see the site administer up to 700 vaccine doses a day. He said the vaccination site has limited walk-up availability and recommends people interested in visiting make an appointment.
For many visitors, Monday was their first opportunity to find an open appointment.
"I'd been waitlisted for an appointment for a couple weeks. Walgreens, Rite Aid, other places I was looking at I couldn't get in, but these guys were able to get me in right away, so I guess props to FEMA," said Jordan Buckley after receiving his booster shot.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Washington has some of the highest detected cases of the new COVID-19 omicron variant in the United States.
Del Beccaro said people who were vaccinated against COVID-19 this spring or early summer are ready for their booster shot. The recommendation for a booster shot is six months after the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, and three months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The COVID-19 vaccination site will be at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center, located at 31510 Pete Von Reichbauer Way S, until Jan. 3. It's open from 2-9 p.m. The site is closed on December 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1. After Jan. 3, the resources will move to a location in Auburn for another two weeks.