By Bruce A. Smith

The Covid-19 vaccine has come to Eatonville. Kirk’s Pharmacy on Mashel Ave has confirmed this week that it is currently giving the vaccine to individuals in the group known as “1-A.” These folks are emergency and frontline health care workers, and seniors in long-term care and the caregivers who tend to them. 1-A has two “tiers,” and the 1^st Tier are the individuals listed above. The 2^nd Tier expands the list to include all health care workers once the first tier is complete.

Kirk’s says that people desiring their vaccine shot need to call and make an appointment. The number is 360. 832. 3121. The dose will be administered at the Kirk’s Pharmacy store in Eatonville, only.

A much greater roll-out appears to be coming next week. Kirk’s today announced that they expect to receive people from the “1-B” group, possibly as soon as January 19. Details are not confirmed as of this date, but should be available by the end of this week, January 15.

According to Kirk’s website, 1-B is currently designated by the Washington State Department of Health (WSDoH) to include individuals over 75 years of age. However, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD), states clearly on its website that the current age-limit for 1-B has been reduced to 70, and also includes all individuals over 50-years of age who live in a multi-generational household.

https://www.tpchd.org/healthy-people/diseases/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine-information .

 Either way, these groups are huge, totaling over 60 million people, nationwide. Again, Kirk’s is saying that individuals in 1-B must call first and make an appointment. However, details from Kirk’s is sketchy, and the best that staff can say as of today, January 11 is, “Call us back towards the end of the week and we should know more and be able to give you an appointment.”

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) says that they are using an “honor system” at this time in terms of determining who will get a vaccine shot and when – hoping to speed up the vaccination process. Officials at the TPCHD indicate that the vaccine is free, and everyone who gets their first shot will receive a card announcing the time for their second vaccine shot.

Nevertheless, Kirk’s is asking that everyone coming for the vaccine bring their medical insurance cards with them.

Of note, the Multi-Care Clinic in Eatonville announced today that it is not administering Covid-19 vaccines, and is referring all who seek the vaccine to Kirk’s.

Kirk’s posted on its website that the vaccines are from the Moderna stock, and are procured through the Washington State Department of Health. This vaccine will require two doses, administered 28 days apart. Health officials are also suggesting that everyone who receives a vaccination continue to wear a mask and socially distance themselves in public settings.

In addition, Kirk’s is requiring that all individuals seeking the vaccine must fill out a pre-vaccination checklist, which determines if people are safe to receive the vaccine. Questions include: do you have allergies, are you currently experiencing a fever, etc. These forms are available at the Kirk’s website: https://www.kirkspharmacy.com/covid19 .  

Further, Kirk’s is also requiring that individuals receiving the vaccine also print out the seven-page take-home packet that lists warnings on side-effects and other important details.

Kirk’s is also administering free “EverlyWell” Covid-19 test kits to anyone 16-years and older and experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or has had a known COVID-19 exposure. Folks desiring these kits can receive them in-person at three Kirk’s locations: Eatonville, Sunrise, and Puyallup between 8:30 am and 6 pm. Call first, please. Pick-up will be at curbside.

Covid-19 symptoms include:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

Details on the free test kits are:

1. Pick-up your kit at Kirk’s Pharmacy

2. Register your kit with EverlyWell, which is the manufacturer.

3. Follow instructions to collect your sample

4.) Ship your kit the SAME DAY you collect your sample with FREE overnight shipping via UPS.

For more information, go to the Kirk’s Pharmacy website.

https://www.kirkspharmacy.com/covid19 , or call: 360. 832. 3121.