State defines the next vaccine group

On Wednesday, January 6, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the definitions of the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations. The next group, Phase 1B, is broken up into Tiers. The state is not ready to move into vaccinating Phase 1B since they are still finishing up vaccinating 1A.

Phase 1B include:
Phase 1B1 (Tier 1)

• All people 70 years and older
• People 50 years and older who live in multigenerational households

Phase 1B2 (Tier 2)

• High-risk critical workers 50 years and older who work in the certain congregate setting: agriculture; food processing; grocery stores; K-12 (teachers and school staff); childcare; corrections, prisons, jails or detention facilities (staff); public transit; fire; law enforcement

Phase 1B3 (Tier 3)

• People 16 years or older with two or more comorbidities or underlying conditions

Phase 1B4 (Tier 4)

• High-risk critical workers in certain congregate settings under 50 years
• People, staff, and volunteers of all ages 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 Pacific County Health Department will announce when the county is moving into Phase 1B.