The Jamestown Family Health Clinic in recent days expanded available days and to a larger location for the first Sequim community COVID-19 vaccinations, tribal leaders announced Friday, Jan. 8.

The drive-through vaccinations will now be offered at the Water Reuse Demonstration Site in the northern part of Carrie Blake Community Park, 202 N. Blake Ave. (Previously the vaccinations were to be offered at Sequim Community Church.)

Sequim residents ages 70-and-older, along with their domestic partner of any age, can receive the vaccine; being a patient of the clinic is not required.

People can receive a vaccine from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, and Saturday, Jan. 16, the first week. Second week dates include Tuesday, Jan. 19, Thursday, Jan. 21, and Saturday, Jan. 23.

Check-in and vaccinations will be administered by Jamestown Family Health Clinic employees with logistical support from the Sequim Police Department, Clallam County Fire District 3, City of Sequim Public Works staff and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers.

Those with questions or concerns about the vaccine are encouraged to consult their primary care provider.

Brent Simcosky, director of Health Services for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, said they will continue the vaccinations for that age group the first five days, and assess demand and need before moving onto the next age group/community group.

They also anticipate more vaccines delivered this week, too, he said.

“We have 4,000 vaccines now so there is no reason to wait early in the morning or camp out on Thursday,” Simcosky said.

“We will be going at least two weeks for 70-and-older.”

For clinic patients 70-and-older and with underlying health issues who have appointments, Simcosky said they can receive the vaccine through their appointment. For others, he encourages them to go through the drive-through.

He said the Clallam County Health Department is formulating a plan for homebound individuals. With still some unknowns regarding vaccine availability, Simcosky said he hopes the clinic can administer 5,000 vaccines by the end of January in the drive-through and clinic.

Process

Prior to coming to the drive-through, residents should have their ID ready, and be wearing a short sleeve shirt so medical staff can easily access their arm to administer the vaccine, tribal leaders said.

Along North Blake Avenue, residents will drive to Trinity United Methodist Church’s parking lot

for check-in with six vehicle lanes available.

Tribal leaders ask attendees turn off one’s vehicle while waiting.

Paperwork for consent includes name, address and birthday. Documents will indicate a return date in four weeks for the second dose of the vaccine.

Drivers will then be directed to a two-lane vaccination tent next to the James Center for Performing Arts Bandshell in the park. Residents must stay in their vehicle for the vaccination.

Once vaccinated, drivers will be directed to a parking area to wait for 15 minutes with personnel available to answer questions or address health concerns.

Drivers will then exit to North Rhodefer Road.

More Sequim event details

Simcosky said the tribe switched locations from the church to the park so that they could leave up a large tent that’s specifically used for vaccinations and not impede church operations. The tent covers four vehicles at a time, he said.

Tribal leaders ask residents follow all instructions and directions as staff and volunteers will be moving people through the line as fast as possible while maintaining all safety precautions and capturing all of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-required information for each patient.

Trinity United Methodist Church and the park band shell offer restroom, if needed.

Simcosky said the vaccination drive-through is the culmination of many months of work by clinic staff, public health officials, the City of Sequim, police, the fire department, emergency management officials and volunteers from CERT and Trinity United Methodist Church.

Vaccination groups

State officials recently released new groups scheduled to receive COVID-19 vaccinations they are:

• Group A1 and A2: High risk healthcare workers in healthcare settings; high risk first responders; long term care facility residents, all other workers at risk in health care settings.

• Group B1: All people 70 years and older; all people 50 years or older in multigenerational householders

• Group B2: High risk critical workers 50 years or older who work in certain congregate settings: agriculture; food processing; grocery stores; K-12 (teachers and school staff); corrections; prisons; jails and detention centers; public transit; fire; law enforcement.

• Group B3: People 16 years or older with two or more co-morbidities (more than one disease/condition present in a person at the same time) or underlying conditions.

• Group B4: High risk critical workers under 50 years who work in certain congregate settings (as noted in B2); people, staff and volunteers in congregate living settings: correctional facilities, group homes for people with disabilities; people experiencing homelessness that in or access services in congregate settings.

“Many people in groups A1 and A2 have received vaccines already; now the attention is shifting to starting on group B1, followed by group B2,” Peter Raiswell, public information officer for Clallam County Emergency Management. “The events will be separate and distinct but the goal of vaccination as many as possible will be the same. We are aiming at vaccinating as many as 500 people a day.”

Port Angeles vaccinations set

In contrast to Sequim’s drive-through set-up, COVID-19 vaccinations in Port Angeles will be walk-in events.

The free vaccinations are scheduled for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16; Sunday, Jan. 17; Saturday, Jan. 23, and Sunday, Jan. 24, at the Port Angeles High School auxiliary gym, 304 East Park St.

Vaccines are by appointment that can be accessed through a link on the Clallam County website (www.clallam.net) starting Wednesday, Jan 13. Those without internet access will have an alternative way to make appointments county officials plan to post this week; call 360-417-2430 for more information.

The COVID-19 Moderna vaccine is being utilized in Port Angeles for those 70 and older who live in Port Angeles — including those living west of Deer Park Road and including Joyce. In addition, first responder medical personnel and those in the 1A category can get their vaccine as well.

Participants should bring personal identification and wear a short-sleeved shirt under for easy access to one’s upper arm. They will be asked to sign a consent form. A 15-minute waiting period is needed. Personnel will be available to answer questions and address concerns. An appointment will be set-up for a second shot in about four weeks.

For more information, call the Clallam County Emergency management COVID Hotline at 360-417-2430.