SEQUIM — The line of Sequim residents awaiting a COVID-19 vaccine during the town’s first clinic, a drive-through, extended back to the to the U.S. Highway 101/Simdars Road exit from the check-in site at 100 S. Blake Ave.
Some 500 vaccines were provided to people over 70 years old and about 1,500 were turned away, according to Brent Simcosky, the health director for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, which hosted the clinic.
James Castell of Castell Insurance of Sequim immortalized the first Sequim vaccination clinic with a videotape and a drone. The video was posted on the business’ Facebook page as well as on Youtube.
It can be seen here:
“We were so excited to be a part of the first day of vaccines,” Castell said. “With great grandparents that were eager to be vaccinated, this was a big day for our family.
“We knew first-hand how hard it was for them to quarantine and miss out on so many life events that this first day of vaccination was a beacon of hope.”
Castell said that it was not a surprise to see the huge turnout for the first day of vaccination.
“I think the most inspiring thing was how positive everyone was — the volunteers, the Jamestown employees, the police, the folks that received the vaccine and my grandparents that didn’t.”
Although his grandparents were in line by 7:30 a.m., that was too late to receive the vaccine. They planned to be back in line by 5 a.m. Saturday, said their grandson.
“Everyone understands it’s an imperfect process but the HOPE that everyone has is such a promising thing,” Castell wrote.
“Months and months of despair — we can all use a little bright light to hold on to and hope for the brighter days!”
