Seattle is first main metropolis in US to completely vaccinate 70% of residents towards COVID-19

Seattle is the first major city in the US to fully vaccinate 70 percent of its residents against COVID-19

Seattle was the first major American city to have 70 percent of residents 12 years and older fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Mayor Jenny Durkan announced on Wednesday.

SEATTLE – Seattle was the first major American city to have 70% of residents 12 and over fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Mayor Jenny Durkan said on Wednesday.

“When we started our vaccination efforts earlier this year, I said I wanted to go to Seattle to become the first major American city to have 70 percent of its population fully vaccinated. Today I am incredibly proud that we achieved this goal,” said Mayor Durkan. “Seattle is America’s most vaccinated city, and it would not have been possible without the commitment of our residents to protect themselves, their loved ones, and our entire community.”

Seattle overtook San Francisco, the nation’s leader in vaccination. Currently, 78% of the Seattle population ages 12 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Photo credit: City of Seattle

The city guides say they will now focus on working with partners to reopen new efforts this summer to support Seattle’s reopening and recovery.

“Now that we have achieved community protection, we can guide the nation in reopening safely and making serious recovery. Seattleites – Go outside and support a local small business, help revitalize our historic arts and culture scene and safely enjoy our unprecedented Seattle summers. “Said Durkan. “Even with this exciting milestone, our work is not done yet. Please, if you know someone who has not yet been vaccinated, do everything you can to help them get their vaccination.”

As of last year, Washington state has reported more than 406,000 COVID-19 cases and nearly 6,000 deaths.

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Washington Governor Jay Inslee said the state is well on its way to fully reopening its economy by June 30, or even sooner when 70% of residents 16 and older have received at least one dose.

By June 5, more than 63% of this age group had received at least one dose and at least 55% were fully vaccinated. Residents aged 12 to 15 have been eligible for vaccination since last month, and nearly 28% of that group have started vaccination.

The first Washington Vaccine Lotto drawing on Tuesday includes a $ 250,000 prize and hundreds of other prizes

The first draws begin on Tuesday as part of the state lottery Shot of a Lifetime.

Health officials said last week that at the current pace of people searching for vaccines, the state is unlikely to hit the 70 percent threshold for a dose by the end of the month.

All 39 counties in the state are currently in the third phase of Inslee’s reopening plan, which will allow restaurants, bars, and gyms to operate at 50% indoor capacity.

Inslee said the state will stay at 50% capacity for most indoor activities until it reaches full capacity in late June. Republican leaders in the state’s Senate and House of Representatives have urged the governor to fully reopen the state now, citing vaccination rates and measures in other states.

CONNECTED: Washington Launches Vaccine Lottery with $ 2 million in cash prizes, tuition fees, and flights

“Washingtoners want to return to a sense of normalcy, and companies need more security when trying to recover,” wrote Senator John Braun and Rep. JT Wilcox in a joint statement last Tuesday.

Washington is the newest state to offer prizes to encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, with Governor Jay Inslee announcing a series of freebies, $ 2 million lottery drawings, tuition assistance, airline tickets and game systems.

The incentive program, called “Shot of a Lifetime”, applies to those who start vaccinating this month as well as residents who have already been vaccinated.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.