In May, President Joe Biden set the goal of fully vaccinating 70% of American adults by July 4th. On Wednesday, Seattle became the first major city to reach that goal.
- Seattle has fully vaccinated 70% of its residents over the age of 12 against COVID-19, according to The Seattle Times.
The largest city in Washington state has partially vaccinated 78% of its population — making it the most vaccinated city in the U.S., The Guardian reported.
- Still, Seattle is not on track to be the first major city to reach herd immunity, per The Guardian. Another West Coast city looks more promising — San Francisco.
How did Seattle vaccinate so many people?
In February, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan set the same goal Biden later set, The Guardian said. To meet this goal, the city began vaccinations at adult nursing homes, affordable housing units, community pop-up clinics and sports events.
Seattle offered a $1 million lottery as a vaccine incentive. After the lottery was announced, officials saw an “uptick” in vaccine appointments, according to The Seattle Times. The first lottery winner was drawn on Tuesday.
- Durkan announced that, via The Guardian, “It would not have been possible without our residents’ commitment to protecting themselves, their loved ones and our entire community.”
What happens now in Seattle?
Reopening!
Now that Seattle reached its vaccination goal, the city will begin reopening. Residents are encouraged to support local businesses and reconnect with the city’s arts and culture, The Guardian said.
- Seattle’s mass vaccination site will close on Saturday, The Seattle Times reported.
What are vaccinations like in other cities?
Seattle may have been the first major city to reach Biden’s goal, but other major cities are nearly at the same threshold, according to ABC News.
San Francisco has fully vaccinated 69% of its eligible population and partially vaccinated 79% of the population. The city is on track to become the first to reach herd immunity, per The Guardian. San Francisco’s vaccine rollout is one of the nation’s most “robust,” ABC News said.
- Washington, D.C., has fully vaccinated 68.3% of residents, according to ABC News.
- San Jose has fully vaccinated 68% of the population and partially vaccinated 79% of the population.
- Denver has fully vaccinated 61% of the population and partially vaccinated 70% of the population, ABC News said.
Nationally, 42.5% of American adults have been fully vaccinated, according to ABC News.