King County launches vaccine verification awareness campaign ahead of Oct. 25 health order

Starting Oct. 25, King County residents will have to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test within 72 hours to enter most indoor venues, including restaurants, bars, gyms and movie theaters. Outdoor events like sporting events, concerts and performances​ with 500 or more people are also subject to the new vaccine verification order.

With the order going into effect in just one week, county and city leaders are now kicking off an awareness campaign to prepare both businesses and residents for what to expect.

"This new policy will keep people safe and keep businesses open, protecting our community’s health and economy as we continue to navigate this pandemic," King County Executive Constantine said in a news release Monday. "As King County businesses and residents prepare for the vaccine verification health order to go into effect, we are here to help with resources, customer service support, and technical assistance."

The order, announced last month amid the spread of the more-transmissible delta variant and rising hospitalizations, is not expected to be permanent and King County officials said they expect to reassess within six months. There are also several exceptions and exemptions to the order: the order does not apply to children under the age of 12 or to customers who elect to dine outdoors or pick up takeout orders.

Smaller restaurants and bars with seating for fewer than 12 people will have longer to prepare for vaccine verification, with a later implementation date of December 6. The requirement has been supported by 14 health care organizations, who say it will make public settings safer.

"With vaccine verification, we are acting boldly to change the trajectory of the virus and keep our communities safe. It’s the right thing to do for our workers, our customers, our economy, and the health and vitality of our city," Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said.

There are several ways to prove that you’re fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus in Washington. The easiest is to show your Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-issued vaccination card, or a photo of it.

However, if your card was lost or destroyed, the following are also accepted as proof:

- A printout from the Washington State Immunization Information System.
- A verified electronic medical record printout from your medical provider.
- A “Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination” from MyIR Mobile (print or screenshot)
- A QR Code from the MyIR Mobile or a QR code displayed on a mobile app from an endorsed partner of MyIR Mobile.

For businesses, the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is offering a free toolkit that includes training guidance, signage and scenario planning.

"The Seattle Metro Chamber strongly and actively supports vaccination because we know it is the path out of this pandemic and toward an equitable economic recovery," said Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Rachel Smith. "As employers prepare to implement the new vaccine verification program over the next several weeks, the Chamber is ready to be their champion."

As of Oct. 11, 71.4% of Washington residents ages 12 and older are fully vaccinated, according to the state Department of Health. Novel coronavirus cases are also down across all age groups in the state although infection rates remain higher in Central and Eastern Washington.