Communicable Disease

FOR FIRST DOSES ONLY:  **If you have had a severe allergic reaction to an injectable vaccine or medication previously, please schedule your vaccination through a medical provider or clinic rather than at the Fairgrounds site. A list of other providers can be found here**         Clinic dates fill quickly due to limited vaccine supply and high demand. If you do not see availability when you attempt to schedule a clinic date, please check the web page for additional information and updates. As more supply is received from the State, new clinic dates will be added.  Please follow the steps below to register for available clinic dates.  Note: Once you schedule an appointment, it is very important that you commit to it! Please do not register for multiple clinic dates. If you have an appointment with another provider, please cancel it. To cancel a scheduled appointment, call the Public Health Vaccine Hotline at 360-416-1500.       STEP 1 Check your eligibility by visiting: www.findyourphasewa.org  You will be expected to provide proof that you are phase eligible when you arrive at the vaccine site. If you are under 65 years old, please print or have a screen shot of phase approval that you can show when you check into the clinic.  STEP 2 Schedule an appointment HERE. Click: Find Vaccination Clinic If clinic listings do not come up, search under: SCHD- COVID Vaccine Site Each clinic is listed by date If there isn't a blue 'sign up' button, no appointments are currently available on the selected date. You can check here for other vaccine providers near you.            Note: Appointments must be made for each person individually. Do not enter more than one name (i.e, 'Jane and John Doe' into the name field when scheduling an appointment. No joint appointments are available.    We ask that if you are able to do so, please register for an appointment online. A detailed how-to is available in english  and in spanish. If after reviewing the guide, you still need assistance, call the COVID-19 vaccine hotline at 360-416-1500. The hotline is available in English and Spanish, Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. We have been experiencing very high call volumes. We appreciate patience while we work to answer your calls. FOR SECOND DOSES ONLY:     Skagit County Public Health cannot provide second doses to folks who received their first dose elsewhere. People should return to their original clinic for their second dose, even if the clinic is walk-in only. If your first dose provider is no longer offering vaccines, please check here for other providers near you. Those who receive their first dose through Public Health will be guaranteed their second dose. Public Health will email a private web link to individuals once they receive their first dose at our clinic. Individuals will be asked to confirm their second dose appointment.  The date and time of second appointments are determined when an individual receives their first dose based on the recommended timeframe for the brand of vaccine they received. Second doses MUST be administered within the recommended time-frame to ensure effectiveness: 21 days after first dose for Pfizer and 28 days after first dose for Moderna.  Unlike first dose appointments, second doses will be administered using a drive through at the Skagit County Fairgrounds. Please enter the fairgrounds through the same entrance as your first appointment: North Gate Entrance, 1410 Virgina Street, Mount Vernon 98273.  If you cannot make the time slot provided to you by Public Health, you need to call our Vaccine Hotline at 360-416-1500 to reschedule.    Note: Vaccines are available through other providers in Skagit County, dependent on supply provided by the State. You can find a list of other providers here.

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HOURS OF OPERATION Vaccination at the Skagit County Fairground is available by appointment ONLY and will be based on adequate supply. No walk-ups will be permitted.   LOCATION Skagit County Fairgrounds, North Gate Entrance (1410 Virginia St., Mount Vernon, WA 98273). Please, no walk-ups—vaccine is available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY—and dependent on supply. *Map is subject to change

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This is an exciting time for our community, as vaccine becomes available to a wider portion of our population. Here is a step-by-step guide to Public Health’s Vaccine Site at the Skagit County Fairgrounds.  Please allow enough time in your schedule for the process below to take up to 1.5 hours although most appointments will move more quickly than that. Note: Vaccines are available through other providers in Skagit County, dependent on supply provided by the State. Public Health recommends that you please consult your doctor or pharmacy about other availability. You can also find a list of providers here. Step 1: Registration Before making an appointment, individuals will be required to determine their eligibility. There are two ways to do this: visit www.findmyphasewa.org or call our Vaccine Hotline at (360) 416-1500, Monday – Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you use the online Phase Finder link or call the hotline, expect to provide information like age, occupation, and living situation in order to determine your phase. Appointments at the Skagit County Fairgrounds are currently available for all Phase 1a and Phase 1b, Tier 1 eligible individuals. We will post any changes in regards to phase eligibility on our website: www.skagitcounty.net/COVIDvaccine. Schedule an appointment HERE. Appointment availability is based on vaccine supply. Each individual needs to make a seperate appointment. You cannot make an appointment for 'John and Jane Doe.' Please do not enter mutliple names into the name field in PrepMod. Please call our vaccine hotline at (360) 416-1500 if you need assistance with registration. The hotline is available in English and Spanish, Monday – Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There are very minimal barriers to accessing a vaccine. The federal government is covering the cost of vaccine, making it no-cost for those with or without insurance. Some vaccine locations may submit an administrative fee to your insurance if you have insurance.  Skagit County Fairgrounds vaccine site will not request any insurance information or bill an administrative fee. When you arrive, you will not be expected to provide insurance information or residency information. It is truly the goal of the County to provide vaccine to all those who want it, and who are currently eligible. Step 2: Arriving at the site The Vaccine Site is located at the Skagit County Fairgrounds, North Gate Entrance (1410 Virginia St., Mount Vernon, WA 98273). Testing has been located here for several months now through the South Entrance. Those with an appointment for a vaccine should enter through the North Entrance only. Once through the gate, vehicles will be directed to a holding area which will operate similar to a ferry system. Once there is space, vehicles will be moved through the site, either to a parking lot for the walk-in clinic (for first dose) or to the F Barn for the drive-thru clinic (for second dose). If instructed toward the parking lot, individuals will be asked to remain within their vehicle until instructed to come into the building. Please note: We ask that only individuals with a vaccine appointment enter the vaccine building at the A/B Barn. However, people requiring assistance from another adult are welcome to bring that adult in with them.  Children will not be allowed to enter the A/B building and should remain at home or with an adult in the vehicle. If instructed to continue to drive toward the F Barn, drivers will proceed based on instructions from our traffic staff. Step 3 & 4: Checking in & Vaccination Walk-in clinic (for first dose) We ask that people adhere to physical distancing requirements while in the building, and that a surgical mask is worn at all times. If you do not have a surgical mask, one will be provided. Unless you have mobility needs, please arrive alone to your appointment. Each individual needs a seperate appointment- you cannot make an appointment for multiple people in one slot, i.e. an appointment for 'Jane and John Doe.' Once an individual enters the Vaccine Building, they will be greeted and asked to fill out a consent form. This form helps staff fill out each person’s Vaccine Card, which documents when their first dose was administered, and what brand of vaccine was provided (note: Public Health will be providing Moderna vaccine). This will also be a time for people to read about the vaccine they will be receiving. Individuals will be asked to remain seated until called forward by staff. Once the consent form is complete and when a nurse is available, individuals will be called to an enclosed area. Here, the nurse will be able to answer questions that you may have and will screen for any possible health issues that may be of concern for someone receiving a vaccine. From here, the nurse will administer the vaccine: a simple shot in the upper arm, similar to a flu shot. Drive-thru (for second dose) After following directions to the F Barn, vehicles will enter one-at-a-time into the building. Those with an appointment will receive their vaccine while seated within their vehicle. A nurse will ask that individuals roll down their windows, and the vaccine will be administered in this way. A nurse can determine if someone is not able to receive the vaccine while in their vehicle. If this is the case, there will be space for individuals to exit their vehicle and have the vaccine administered outside of their vehicle. Step 5: 15-Minute Monitoring A 15-MINUTE HOLDING PERIOD IS REQUIRED FOR ALL THOSE WHO RECEIVE VACCINE. Those who are vaccinated will be required to wait for 15 minutes in our holding space—either in our waiting room (for first dose) or in our holding parking lot (for second dose). Staff in this area will monitor individuals for any possible side effects, such as light-headedness, dizziness, nausea, or shortness of breath. This is the perfect time for those receiving their first dose to enter the date of their second dose into their calendars. Please note: You will automatically be scheduled for your second dose of vaccine 4 weeks (28 days) after your first dose as the same time of day.  If you need to change this time you will be provided with a phone number to call or can request that change during your waiting time. Once the 15-minute holding period is complete, people are free to leave.

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What are your hours of operation?

Vaccination at the Skagit County Fairground is available by appointment ONLY and will be based on adequate supply. No walk-ups will be permitted. 

 

Where is the vaccine clinic located?

Skagit County Fairgrounds, North Gate Entrance (1410 Virginia St., Mount Vernon, WA 98273). Please, no walk-ups—vaccine is available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY—and dependent on supply.

*This map is subject to change

Who can receive a vaccine?

Vaccine is available, by appointment ONLY. No walk-ups will be permitted.

Appointments are currently limited to those who qualify under Phase 1a and Phase 1b-Tier 1. This includes the following:

• High risk workers in health care settings
• High risk first responders
• Residents and staff of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other community-based, congregate living settings where most individuals over 65 years of age are receiving care, supervision, or assistance.
• All other workers in health care settings
• All people 65 years and older
• People 50 years and older who live in multigenerational households, including:
  • People who are (a) over the age of 50 AND (b) are not able to live independently who either: a) are receiving long-term care from a paid or unpaid caregiver; or b) are living with someone who works outside the home
  • People who are over the age of 50 AND are living with and caring for a grandchild

Priority phases are decided by the State. Information about how these priority phases were decided .

How do I find out my eligibility?

There are two ways to do this:

• Visit www.findmyphasewa.org; OR
• Call our Vaccine Hotline at (360) 416-1500: Monday – Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

If you use the online Phase Finder link or call the hotline, expect to provide information like age, occupation, and living situation in order to determine your phase.

How do I make an appointment?

At this time, appointments at the Skagit County Fairgrounds are available only for Phase 1a and Phase 1b – Tier 1 individuals, dependent on supply. We will post any updates regarding phase eligibility on our website: www.skagitcounty.net/COVIDvaccine. 

We will only be able to schedule additional clinics as we receive weekly confirmation of vaccine allocations from the state. Vaccine allocations will remain limited throughout the country for a few more weeks so please be patient, we will be able to operate consistently in the coming weeks.

Schedule an appointment HERE.

Appointment availability is based on vaccine supply. Public Health does not operate an ongoing waitlist.      
If you receive a message in PrepMod stating that you have been placed on a waitlist, please know that this has not reserved you a space. You will need to reschedule for another available clinic date.
Please call our vaccine hotline at (360) 416-1500 if you need assistance with registration. The hotline is available in English and Spanish, Monday – Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. We have been experiencing extremely high call volumes on the hotline. We ask that people be patient as we work to answer your calls.

Vaccine supply is still limited. Please know that it will take several weeks to complete Phase 1b, Tier 1.

What vaccine will be administered at this location?

Public Health receives vaccine allocations from the State, and it is possible that either the Moderna vaccine or Pfizer vaccine will be available at the Fairgrounds clinic depending on what is allotted. Please note: when registering for an appointment online using PrepMod, it will be noted which vaccine will be provided on that clinic date.

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: The vaccine is authorized for emergency use in persons aged 16 years and older. This is a two-dose vaccine, given 21 days apart. Clinical trial data show the vaccine is 95 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 infection starting seven days after the second dose. Individuals will not be considered fully protected until one to two weeks after they receive the second dose. The clinical trials revealed no major unanticipated adverse events.

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine: This vaccine is authorized for emergency use in individuals aged 18 years and older. This is a two-dose vaccine, given 28 days apart. Clinical trial data shows the vaccine is about 94 percent effective after two doses. No serious safety concerns were found.

How much will a vaccine cost?

There are very minimal barriers to accessing a vaccine. The federal government is covering the cost of vaccine, making it no-cost for those with or without insurance. Some vaccine locations may invoice insurance for an administrative fee however this will not be the case at the Skagit County Fairgrounds.

How long does it take to get the vaccine?

Wait times will depend on how quickly we are able to serve people on any given day. You should allow for 1.5 hours in your schedule to go through the fairgrounds vaccine clinic although most people will complete the process in less time than this.

We ask that only those who have an appointment enter the clinic. However, people needing assistance are welcome to bring one adult with them inside the building. Children will not be allowed into the building and should be left at home or in the car with an adult.

I've heard that Skagit Public Health gives out left over doses at the end of the day on a first come, first serve basis. Is this true? Can I show up and wait to see if any are available at the end of the day?  

No. Skagit Public Health gives out vaccine doses by appointment only. Walk-ups are not permitted and Public Health does not keep an ongoing waitlist. If you receive a message in PrepMod stating that you have been placed on a waitlist, please know that this has not reserved you a space. You will need to reschedule for another available clinic date.    

What will I need to bring with me?

Those with an appointment at the Fairgrounds will be required to provide proof of eligibility when they arrive to the site. Visit www.findmyphasewa.org to receive proof of eligibility. If you are under 65 years old, please print or have a screen shot of phase approval that you can show when you check into the clinic.

For those receiving their second dose, please bring your Vaccine Card with you. This card will be given out when individuals receive their first dose, and will have your name, date of first dosage, and vaccine type given.

There are very minimal barriers to accessing a vaccine. The federal government is covering the cost of vaccine, making it no-cost for those with or without insurance. Some vaccine locations may invoice your insurance for an administrative fee however this will not be the case at the Skagit County Fairgrounds. When you come, you will not be expected to provide insurance information, or proof of residency. It is truly the goal of the County to provide vaccine to all those who want it, and who are currently eligible.

Will you have interpreters on site for non-English speaking individuals?

Yes, we have Spanish-speaking staff on site.

How many vaccines can be administered each day at this location?

The number of individuals who can be vaccinated will depend on allocations from the federal and state government. With adequate supply, Public Health’s capacity to vaccinate is approximately 300 people per day.

How long does Skagit County Public Health plan to provide community COVID-19 vaccination?

We will conduct vaccination at our site for as long as there is adequate supply, and as long as there is community need.

I don't live or work in Skagit County. Can I still get the vaccine here?

Vaccination at the Fairgrounds will be open to all phase-appropriate people who register, regardless of location of work or residence. However, individuals must plan to receive both doses from the same location.

A list of vaccine providers can be found here.

Most locations will require an appointmet  and availability will be dependent on supply. Please call or visit a location’s website for more information.

What is Skagit County Public Health’s plan for vaccine roll-out?

Vaccine administration will occur in several phases, based on recommendations from WA Department of Health, the CDC, and the National Academy of Medicine and the Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices (ACIP). Below is Skagit County Public Health’s estimated roll-out timeline (subject to change; timeline is dependent on vaccine allocations from the State).

As vaccine becomes available, Skagit County will be able to work through the above phases. Please know that vaccine roll-out will take time. We appreciate your patience. We will know more about who will be vaccinated in later phases based on input and decisions made by the ACIP and the WA Department of Health. More information.

Why is a vaccine important?

Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. A COVID-19 vaccine will help to protect you by creating an antibody response without having to experience serious illness.

 

Will it be safe?

The speed in which these vaccines have been developed and the newness of the technology can seem scary to some. It is important to understand that mRNA vaccine technology has been in development for over 10 years.  Safety of the current mRNA vaccines approved or under approval review has in no way been compromised, even with a quicker development timeline. 

Rather than eliminating steps from traditional development timelines, steps are being conducted simultaneously. Clinical trials include thousands of study participants to generate scientific data and other information for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This data is then analyzed to determine safety and effectiveness.

There are vaccine safety monitoring systems in place to track any possible side effects. If an unexpected adverse event is seen, experts quickly study it further to assess whether it is a true safety concern. Experts then decide whether changes are needed in vaccine recommendations.

 

How many doses will I need?

All but one of the COVID-19 vaccines currently in Phase 3 clinical trials in the United States need two shots to be effective. The other COVID-19 vaccine uses one shot. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is a two-dose vaccine, given 21 days apart. The Moderna vaccine is also a two-dose vaccine, given 28 days month apart. People should anticipate receiving both doses at the same location. 

Please note: Skagit County Public Health cannot provide second doses to folks who received their first dose elsewhere. People must return to their original clinic for their second dose, even if the clinic is walk-in only. 

 

When will we be able to open things back up again?

There is not enough information currently available to say if or when CDC will stop recommending that people wear masks and avoid close contact with others to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Experts need to understand more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide before making that decision. Other factors, including how many people get vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities, will also affect this decision.

Where can I get more information?

There is so much information right now about the COVID-19 vaccine, but there is also a lot of speculation and misinformation. It is so crucial that we seek out credible information! Please turn to trusted sources for health information, including your healthcare provider and public health experts.

Skagit County Public Health has created a COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline, available in both English and Spanish. Staff will be able to assist you with general vaccine questions, and can provide information about priority phases, as well as vaccine locations.

Please call Public Health's main line at (360) 416-1500 Monday – Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For more about COVID-19 vaccine planning, development and safety standards, visit the Washington Department of Health website: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/vaccine.

Other helpful links:

• CDC: Vaccine Information for You and Your Family
• CDC: Vaccine FAQ
• CDC 8 Things to Know
• WSDOH: Vacine Information
• FDA: Covid-19-vaccines
• Videos and more