DOH releases expected timeline for COVID vaccines for Priority Group B

Washington's Department of Health has put out information about the expected vaccination dates. This timeline is adjustable in case the state runs into any problems with distribution. According to the Pacific County Department of Health said that Priority Group B is the largest group so far.

"We are getting new information on this every day," said PCDOH Director Katie Lindstrom. "I expect that we will get news very soon about Phase B. I also expect that the order of it could change, but as of right now this is where we are at."

Priority Group B1, which is the next group, is expected to start at the end of January 2021. This group includes all people 70 years or older and all people 50 years or older in multigenerational households.

Priority Group B2 is expected to begin in February. These are the high-risk critical workers 50 years or older who work in certain congregate settings. This group also includes agriculture, food processing, grocery store, school, childcare, correction, prison, jail, detention center, public transit, fire, and law enforcement workers.

Priority Group B3 is planned to start in March. This group includes people 16 years and older with two or more comorbidities or underlying conditions.

Priority Group B4 so far stats in April. This group is high-risk critical workers under 50 years who work in certain congregate settings. This is also people, staff, and volunteers in congregate living settings, correctional facilities, group homes for people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness that live in or access services in congregate settings.

The next priority group has not been determined and the future vaccination phases have yet to be planned out.

"We, as a county, have to wait for a green light from the state to move to priority group B," said Lindstrom. "I'm pretty confident that we are fairly through group A and we feel ready to move on B, however, we cannot do that until the state gives us the green light to do that. I anticipate that the green light will come anytime now. Please know that we do not have the power to go outside the state guidelines."

Lindstrom emphasized that people should not call unless people fall into Priority Group A. The next phase has not been approved yet.