Today, state authorities updated Phase 1A of Washington’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Guidance, adding a second tier to 1A that allows for the vaccination of all workers in health care settings. The state’s revised guidance means that all dental office employees are now unequivocally included in Phase 1A, Tier 2.

The COVID-19 vaccine is currently available in a limited number of locations primarily affiliated with hospital systems and local health departments. WSDA does not have a list of administration locations at this time — DOH has not generated a list of locations in order to keep those locations from getting overwhelmed. We know that some dentists and dental team members have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

DOH is actively encouraging health care systems administering the vaccine to reach out and provide vaccine access to health care workers outside of their systems. WSDA and leaders from some component dental societies are in ongoing discussions with DOH, local health departments, and health care systems about getting dental offices broad access to the vaccine. These efforts will likely be localized given the decentralized roll-out of the state’s vaccination efforts. When we are able to provide specific information about receiving a vaccination in your area, we will communicate this information immediately.

DOH has also announced that prioritization for Phases 1B and 1C of the state’s vaccination plan will be finalized and released in early January.

We hope this encouraging news portends more positive developments in the new year.

On behalf of WSDA, we wish you and your loved ones a Happy New Year.

Sincerely,