Seattle Fire Department Mobile Vaccination Teams Launch Citywide Effort to Bring Vaccinations Directly to Seattle Residents and Workers
New Seattle Fire Department Mobile Strategy Brings Vaccinations to Dense Areas Around the City, Offers Immediate Vaccinations Without an Appointment
As Part of This Effort, Seattle Fire Will Administer Vaccines on The Ave this Friday, in Collaboration with U District Partnership
SEATTLE (May 6, 2021) – Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced that the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) Mobile Vaccination Teams (MVT) have recently begun a new effort to bring COVID-19 vaccinations directly to Seattle residents and workers. The MVTs new mobile effort coordinates with small businesses and community-based stakeholders to visit high-traffic areas and parks throughout the city and offer pop-up vaccinations to all those in the area. This new mobile vaccination strategy is an effort to meet Seattle residents and workers where they are and increase vaccination rates, with a focus on younger Seattleites.
“Over 70 percent of eligible Seattleites have begun the vaccination process. This is an incredible achievement, and it speaks to our communities’ commitment to protecting the health and safety of our entire city,” said Mayor Durkan. “To create easier access for all residents, we’re building innovative new ways to vaccinate our residents and workers. With this mobile approach from Seattle Fire, we’re meeting communities where they are and bringing the vaccine to them. All Seattleites can do their part and help people in their life get vaccinated. We can’t beat this pandemic unless we work together.”
“Seattle is eager to emerge from the COVID pandemic quickly and so I commend the Durkan Administration for accelerating the availability of vaccines with this additional collaboration in the heart of my Council district. If you choose to get vaccinated here in the University District with our excellent Fire Department this Friday afternoon, I encourage you to visit the funky and fun locally-owned businesses and restaurants in the neighborhood,” said Councilmember Alex Pedersen (District 4, Northeast Seattle).
As part of this mobile vaccination effort, the City of Seattle is working with the U District Partnership to host the SFD MVTs on The Ave this Friday, May 7. The City’s Office of Economic Development (OED) is coordinating with small businesses throughout the U District and surrounding neighborhoods to ensure that all staff who have not yet been vaccinated have the opportunity to receive a vaccination at this clinic. In addition to vaccinating small business owners and staff, the SFD MVTs will offer walk-up and roll-up vaccinations to all people in the area who would like a vaccine.
The City has also partnered with two local small businesses for the vaccination clinic on Friday. Big Time Brewery & Alehouse is offering 10 percent off to all customers who receive their vaccination at the pop-up on Friday; customers must show their vaccine card in order to receive the discount. Sweet Alchemy Ice Creamery is offering $1 off their ice cream to all those vaccinated at the Friday clinic; patients will receive a coupon after their vaccination. Click here for an up-to-date list of small business partners participating in this vaccination clinic.
The SFD MVTs will offer the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines on Friday. Patients who choose the Moderna vaccine will be scheduled for their second dose at either the Rainier Beach or West Seattle vaccination hubs. The mobile clinic will take place from 12 – 5 p.m., on the corner of NE 43rd Street and University Way NE.
“The U District is home to nearly 150 bars, restaurants, and coffee shops – most of which have continued to operate through the pandemic,” says Don Blakeney, Executive Director of the U District Partnership. “By bringing vaccines to the U District we can ensure that our employees and small business owners have extremely easy access to this critical public health resource. We appreciate the work of the City to realize this pop-up vaccine site.”
“We are thrilled to have the U District pop-up on our doorstep because the pandemic has significantly impacted our business and community. As vaccines roll out and the weather improves, we hope more people will visit us to try the best desserts in town. We hope small businesses, workers, students, and community members come by and get vaccinated. We’ll even sweeten the deal by offering discounts on our delicious ice cream during the vaccine pop-up,” said Lois Ko, Owner of Sweet Alchemy Ice Creamery.
In the coming weeks, the SFD MVTs will continue to visit business districts throughout the city, as well as parks, beaches, and outdoor dining areas to provide vaccinations without an appointment to whoever wants one. These vaccinations are only for those who have not yet begun the vaccination process, and SFD will offer the choice of Johnson & Johnson or Moderna.
“We continue to explore new and creative ways to make getting a vaccine as easy as possible,” said Fire Chief Harold Scoggins. “By offering vaccinations at our sporting events, continuing to operate our vaccination hubs at Rainier Beach and West Seattle, and now deploying our mobile vaccination teams out to parks, beaches and other locations where there are crowds, we are making an impact.”
“As we focus on recovery, vaccination pop-ups are one way of ensuring vaccines are available equitably to everyone while supporting small businesses in the neighborhood,” said Pamela Banks, Director of the Office of Economic Development and Director of Recovery and Equitable Investments. “The U-District has one of the lowest vaccination rates and many small businesses in high-traffic areas, so it is critical we bring vaccines to them. We’re proud of the small businesses who are also getting involved in the vaccination effort by encouraging their neighbors to get vaccinated. It will take all of us working together to build community resiliency.”
Since launching its vaccination effort on January 14, the City of Seattle has administered over 170,000 vaccinations to eligible adults (over 111,000 individuals). These vaccinations have occurred at 88 Adult Family Homes, 90 affordable housing buildings with seniors and people with disabilities, 19 pop-ups, 18 permanent supportive housing buildings, two vulnerable youth-serving organizations, city sport events, and the four City-affiliated fixed vaccination sites. Approximately 46 percent of those vaccinated by the City identify as BIPOC communities.
For more information, including how to get vaccinated today, visit the City’s vaccination website at www.seattle.gov/vaccine. The site contains vaccination information in seven languages, and in-language assistance is also available over the phone.
Even as more residents get vaccinated, public health measures like social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing your hands remain critical. Please continue to follow all public health guidance, and visit this website from Public Health – Seattle & King County for more information.
