Vaccine Data
As of July 17, 60.2% of all Whatcom residents have initiated vaccination! Of those in Whatcom County who are eligible, currently anyone 12 and older, 69% have gotten at least one dose. Fifty-five percent of Whatcom’s entire population is fully vaccinated.
If you are eligible and haven’t started vaccination yet, please make an appointment as soon as you can. If you have started, make sure you get your second dose as soon as recommended. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 and all its variants is to get both doses! You are still vulnerable to infection if you’re only partially vaccinated.
Pop-up Vaccination Clinics and Other Walk-In Options
All of the clinics below welcome walk-ins, and some also take appointments.
- Tuesday, July 20 at North Fork Brewery from 6-8pm, Moderna 1st OR 2nd dose. Pints for Pokes is offering a free beverage to go with your free vaccine from 6-8pm. If getting your second dose, please bring your card with you. Appointments aren’t required, but if you’d like one, you can sign up here.
- Friday, July 23 at Old Lynden Middle School Gym from 3-6pm, Moderna, Pfizer AND Johnson & Johnson will be offered! Both testing and vaccines are available, open to everyone 18 and older. Located at 516 Main St in Lynden.
- Sunday, July 25 at Miller’s Farm on Lummi Island, 10am-noon, Moderna AND Pfizer. Appointments aren’t required, but if you’d like one, you can sign up here.
MythBusted: COVID-19 Vaccines Are Responsible for New Variants
A claim that COVID-19 vaccines are responsible for creating new, more potent variants from the virus has recently begun circulating on social media. The source of this rumor is a two-minute interview snippet of a claim made by Luc Montagnier, an anti-vaccination advocate. Montagnier claims that COVID-19 vaccines don’t protect against the virus, but do create antibody-resistant new strains.
But vaccines actually prevent the development of new variants. Viruses mutate and evolve just like everything else, and the longer they’re active, the faster they evolve. The best way to prevent the rise of new COVID-19 variants is by getting vaccinated. Vaccines prevent infection, which lowers COVID-19 activity and slows the virus’ natural evolution.
According to an analysis of Washington state data conducted by the Tacoma-Pierce County health department, less than two percent of all COVID-19 cases between Jan.17 and June 26 were vaccinated. Getting vaccinated greatly lowers your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19.
Wondering where to find trusted information from reputable medical experts? Look no further:
More Information
More information about the COVID-19 vaccine, vaccine planning, and vaccine safety can be found on the DOH’s COVID-19 vaccine web page at www.covidvaccinewa.org. For information about COVID-19 vaccination in Whatcom County, visit our webpage at www.whatcomcounty.us/covidvaccine.