Mass COVID-19 Vaccination Sites Open in Auburn and Kent

The two Public Health – Seattle & King County mass COVID-19 vaccine sites, located in Auburn and Kent, opened yesterday. Auburn’s site is located at the GSA complex and Kent’s at the Showare Center. The C St SW location in Auburn will now serve as both a COVID-19 testing location and a mass vaccination site.

Specially trained EMTs from the Valley Regional Fire Authority and fellow South King County fire agencies will assist the King County Health Department in administering COVID-19 vaccines at the GSA facility. The GSA vaccine site is a drive-up clinic.

Vaccines at both Auburn and Kent site are available by appointment only. All appointments at the Kent and Auburn COVID-19 Vaccination Sites are filled at this time. Updates, including new appointment availability, will be shared at Http://KingCounty.gov/Vaccine.

Individuals eligible for vaccination can find additional locations on the Washington Department of Health’s website.

King County Councilmember Reichbauer Responds:

King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer joined Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus and King County Executive Dow Constantine on the first morning Auburn’s vaccine site was open.

“The decision to locate this site in Auburn is data driven. We are in Auburn because when it comes to COVID-19, South King County is the belly of the beast. If we want to conquer this virus we must start here. We are currently on the ten-yard line and this site will help us reach the end zone in our fight to defeat this deadly virus.”

A middle-aged woman with light brown hair wearing a cloth mask and maroon coat stands next to senior man in a white mask and dark gray coat. Each presents a thumbs up as they stand in front of a large tent with a car under it. — Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus (L) and King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer at the Auburn vaccine location. | courtesy CM von Reichbauer

Don’t Show That COVID-19 Vaccine Card

As tempting as it may be to show off your vaccine card on social media, the Better Business Bureau has issued a press release advising otherwise.

“Unfortunately, your [COVID-19 vaccine] card has your full name and birthday on it, as well as information about where you got your vaccine,” states the BBB press release. “If your social media privacy settings aren’t set high, you may be giving valuable information away for anyone to use.”

Two males wearing blue surgical masks, clear plastic face shields and black coats reach into a dark sedan with gloved hands. The manner of the male reaching in to the driver, whose face is largely obscured by a wet windshield, indicates he is administering a shot. — Two EMTs administer COVID-19 vaccines at the Auburn vaccine location. | courtesy photo, King County Government

The press release continues, explaining that “sharing your personal information isn’t the only issue. Scammers in Great Britain were caught selling fake vaccination cards on eBay and TikTok. It’s only a matter of time before similar cons come to the United States and Canada. Posting photos of your card can help provide scammers with information they can use to create and sell phony ones.”

Here are some safety tips provided by the BBB in their press release:

Share your vaccine sticker or use a profile frame instead. If you want to post about your vaccine, there are safer ways to do it. You can share a photo of your vaccine sticker or set a frame around your profile picture.
Review your security settings. Check your security settings on all social media platforms to see what you are sharing and with whom. If you only want friends and family to see your posts, be sure that’s how your privacy settings are configured.
Be wary of answering popular social media prompts. Sharing your vaccine photo is just the latest social trend. Think twice before participating in other viral personal posts, such as listing all the cars you’ve owned (including makes/model years), favorite songs, and top 10 TV shows. Some of these “favorite things” are commonly used passwords or security questions.

Sources:
To Write This Article the Auburn Examiner pulled information from press releases and reports from Public Health – Seattle & King County, VRFA, King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, and the BBB.