Seattle Mariners to offer COVID-19 vaccines at home games

In a stark contrast to just a month ago, the city of Seattle is practically begging residents to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Now, people can get it done during the 7th-inning stretch.

Starting Tuesday, when the Mariners host the Baltimore Orioles, the Seattle Fire Department will be giving out vaccines at Mariners' home games, something first offered at Sunday's Sounders' game, where 83 fans got their first dose.

“Having a presence at our City’s sporting events allows us to go where the people are to provide vaccinations. We want to make access to the vaccine as easy as possible, and are excited to announce that Marines fans can now attend Tuesday’s game with family and friends, and also receive either their first dose of the Moderna vaccine or a single-dose of Johnson & Johnson,” Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins said in a news release.

Vaccinations will be available as soon as gates open to fans — two hours before first pitch — and only those 18 years old or older can receive them. Fans will have their choice between the Johnson & Johnson or Moderna vaccine. Those who receive the Moderna will have the second dose scheduled through the city of Seattle at one of its three locations — Lumen Field, Rainier Beach or West Seattle. 

As of Monday, those three locations were open to walk-ins as well.

At T-Mobile Park, fans can get vaccinated in three locations, with no appointment needed:

• At Edgar's Home Run Porch (near the left field foul pole)
• Near Section 105
• Rooftop Boardwalk on the View Level (300 level)

“Getting vaccinated is the most important thing we can all do to protect ourselves, our families and our community. By partnering with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and the City of Seattle to offer vaccinations at our games, we can help our community move closer to ending the COVID-19 pandemic,” Seattle Mariners Chairman and managing partner John Stanton said.

Since the 2021 season opener, the Mariners have allowed 9,000 fans per home game, a number which can climb after Gov. Jay Inslee announced vaccinated sections can increase the capacity at outdoor events. Under the new guidance, outdoor facilities can add vaccinated sections to the 9,000 unvaccinated limit until the capacity reaches 50% or 22,000 people, whichever is lower.

As of Sunday, over 53% of King County residents had received at least one dose, with 35% fully vaccinated. Across the state, those numbers are respectively 43% and 31%.

County and state health officials have been pleading with residents to get the vaccine, as cases have been ticking up for weeks, causing a fourth surge. Several counties, including King, are at risk of ratcheting back to Phase 2, which would severely limit capacity at indoor businesses like restaurants and gyms. 

"We are up against a fourth surge that is very dangerous that has the capacity to overwhelm our hospitals as these numbers continue to rise," Inslee said at a news conference last week. "At the moment, the thing that has the capability of breaking this rise, is increasing vaccination rates."