Seattle to hold pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinics in West Seattle, Fremont and Ballard

Seattle officials will host pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinics this week in Ballard, Fremont and West Seattle. 

The clinics — which will be held by the Seattle Fire Department on Thursday and Saturday in business districts in the neighborhoods — are an initiative by the city to reach more people and make it easier for Seattle residents to get their vaccines.

“Over 73 percent of eligible Seattleites have begun the vaccination process. This is an incredible achievement, and it speaks to our communities’ commitment to protecting the health and safety of our entire city,” Mayor Jenny Durkan said in a statement. 

“We know that Seattle’s road to recovery starts with vaccinations, and we won’t be able to truly reopen and gather safely until the vast majority of us are vaccinated. If you’re near Ballard, Fremont, or West Seattle, drop by, get your vaccination, and support a local small business. All Seattleites can do their part and help people in their life get vaccinated. We can’t beat this pandemic unless we work together.”

The Fremont event will be from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday in the U-Park parking lot next to Roxy's diner. The Ballard popup will be from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Marvin's Garden, 5400 Ballard Ave. NW. The West Seattle clinic will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Junction Parking Lot, 4501 42nd Ave. SW.

The city is partnering with the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, Ballard Alliance and West Seattle Junction Association to stand up the clinics. The city's Office of Economic Development is also working with businesses in the areas so staff can get vaccinated.

There are also some incentives for people who haven't yet received their shot: Fremont Coffee Company is giving a free coffee to the first 50 people at the Fremont clinic, Salt & Straw is giving free ice cream to the first 50 people in Ballard and Husky Deli is giving free ice cream to the first 50 people at the West Seattle site.

“The Seattle Fire Department has been on the cutting edge of addressing the COVID-19 pandemic from setting up the first testing sites for first-responders in the nation, to providing mobile vaccination clinics to people who cannot easily leave their homes, Councilmember Strauss said in a statement. "As their program continues to expand, I am grateful they will be coming to Ballard for a walk-up vaccination clinic at the former Ballard City Hall – Marvin's Garden Park — and to Fremont at Roxy’s Diner."

Officials have been encouraging everyone to get vaccinated as soon as they can, as vaccines are a key tool the state has to slow the spread of the virus and protect the community. According to the most recent data, about 70% of people 16 and older in King County have received at least one vaccine dose and about half are fully vaccinated. That means still about 50% of people are not yet fully protected from the virus.

In recent days, vaccine demand has been softening across the region, so officials are working to make it even easier for people to make time to get the vaccine. Until more people are vaccinated, residents need to continue to wear masks, socially distance and avoid large gatherings to keep themselves and the community safe. 

“The Seattle Fire Department is committed to give a vaccine to anyone who wants one," Fire Chief Harold Scoggins said. "By deploying our Mobile Vaccination Teams out into the community at locations where we know people will gather, we are making getting a vaccine as easy as possible. Through our partnerships with the business districts, we are putting a special emphasis on ensuring all staff of small businesses have an opportunity to receive the vaccine, and also welcome all members of the public. Through each dose administered, we are making an impact."