More people to be eligible for COVID-19 vaccine as Gov. Inslee expands next tier

More people than originally planned will be offered the chance to get vaccinated in the next step of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday afternoon.

Inslee said he expects the state to move to the expanded next tier March 22, assuming supply keeps ramping up.

That tier will now include workers over age 16 in settings such as grocery stores, law enforcement and agriculture. People over age 16 who are pregnant or who have a disability that puts them at high risk also will be eligible, according to Inslee’s office.

The governor announced the changes at a virtual press conference Thursday afternoon and offered a tentative timeline for next steps. The timeline, he said, it based on estimates from the federal government and manufacturers along with the state’s experience.

“I feel pretty confident that the supply chain will remain as we have estimated,” Inslee said.

The state started by vaccinating high-risk health care workers, first responders, and long-term care facility residents then moved to Phase 1B-1 of the Department of Health’s vaccine plan in mid-January. That includes people 65 and older along with those 50 and older who live in multigenerational households.

Educators and childcare workers were added to the current tier earlier this week, following a directive from President Joe Biden.

“I want to make it clear that, as we’re advancing to this next level in a few weeks, we are not leaving anyone behind,” Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah said Thursday. “If you’re already eligible for vaccine, you remain eligible for vaccine.”

The new Tier 2

By March 22, the governor’s office expects an expanded Phase 1B-2 will make eligible “critical workers who work in certain congregate settings,” according to Inslee’s office, as well as pregnant people and those with disabilities that put them at high risk.

Workers in the tier include those in agriculture, food processing, grocery stores, public transit, firefighters, law enforcement, and workers in prisons and jails. It does not include restaurant workers. The state has yet to determine where they’ll fall in the queue.

Previously, Phase 1B-2 included “high-risk” critical workers 50 and older who work in certain congregate settings. The “high-risk” and age group restrictions are no longer part of the tier.

Larry Brown, President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, thanked Gov. Inslee in a statement after Thursday’s announcement. The WSLC represents unions across the state.

“The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO thanks Governor Inslee and the state Department of Health for recognizing that more essential workers in congregate settings should have access to the COVID-19 vaccines as quickly as possible,” Brown’s statement reads.

“This is good news not just for the affected workers who face on-the-job coronavirus exposure every day, it’s good news for all Washingtonians who rely on the critical services these workers provide.”

However, the President and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association, Anthony Anton, called the absence of hospitality workers a “glaring hole” in the plan. The trade group he leads represents restaurants, hotels, and some entertainment venues.

“We are disappointed they (hospitality workers) are once again being left out and in fact being pushed further back in line as the first and second phases have expanded to include others,” Anton said in a statement. “We aren’t asking to jump ahead of high risk and first responders, we are asking to be included with other essential food chain and housing workers.”

A tentative future timeline

By April 12, the governor’s office expects to start moving into Tier 3, which includes people age 16 and older with two or more underlying conditions, or comorbidities, that put them at higher risk for severe illness if they’re infected with COVID-19. That includes heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Department of Health guidance links to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s list of conditions that put people at increased risk.

Inslee expects the state will be able to expand eligibility to people over age 50 in that category on April 12, then expand to include everyone in that category over age 16 on April 26.

People living in congregate settings are also expected to become eligible April 26, according to Inslee’s office. That includes those living in correctional facilities, group homes for people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness who live in or get services in a congregate setting.

That group is still technically part of a fourth tier within Phase 1B that previously included high-risk critical workers under age 50, but Tier 4 is now scheduled to take effect the same day as Tier 3.

“Again, these dates of course have to be tentative, and expanding eligibility will depend on supply and our progress in vaccinating earlier groups,” Inslee said Thursday. “But I have to tell you, I am thrilled at the progress that our federal government is making in combination with the manufacturers to increase supplies.”

This story was originally published March 4, 2021 at 2:42 PM with the headline "More people to be eligible for COVID-19 vaccine as Gov. Inslee expands next tier."