Seattle Sounders FC today announced that the club has reached an important milestone, with all First Team players and support staff now being considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Additionally, all vaccine-eligible players for the club’s Tacoma Defiance roster and associated support staff are fully vaccinated. As part of the organization’s dedication to public health and vaccination efforts statewide, it is also partnering with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and the City of Seattle, with assistance from Lumen Field and First & Goal Inc., to offer vaccinations to all eligible fans at home games, beginning this Sunday evening as the Rave Green take on the LA Galaxy (6:00 p.m. PT / FS1, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
“Vaccinating all players and support staff across both our First Team and Tacoma Defiance groups is a major milestone for our club,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “Bringing everyone to this moment safely would not have been possible without a lot of focused and dedicated people, but, in particular, I want to recognize our exemplary medical staff for steering us through the past year. It’s also critical to mention that as a community it’s essential for as many people as possible get vaccinated, while remaining socially distant and using masks. We hope that our players and staff being 100 percent bought into the overall vaccination effort inspires others to do the same, and we need to thank the City of Seattle, Public Health – Seattle & King County, in addition to Lumen Field, First & Goal Inc. and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health for leading this mass vaccination initiative at our upcoming home matches."
Fan vaccinations – like all COVID-19 vaccinations – are free of charge and are being made available on a walk-up basis with no appointments necessary. Two locations will serve those in attendance: one in the West Field Plaza outside of section 140, and the second in the East Main Concourse outside of section 104.
Vaccinations will be available starting when gates open and running through the end of the match. Fans being vaccinated on Sunday will also receive a voucher to redeem for a free hot dog at Lumen Field concession stands.
“Being able to have fans back at Lumen Field this season has been an incredible feeling,” said Sounders FC Owner and President of Business Operations Peter Tomozawa. “However, we didn’t reach this point by chance, and the science behind fighting COVID-19 with vaccinations is science that our club believes in and supports whole-heartedly. We’re thrilled to work with our friends at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Lumen Field, First & Goal Inc. and the City of Seattle to provide this opportunity to our fans, and we encourage anyone who hasn’t gotten their shot yet to do so, whether at a Sounders match or elsewhere in the community. We want to get back to normal as soon as possible, with a full stadium singing, cheering and celebrating with the team in person, but that can only happen if we’re all willing to do own individual parts – which includes getting vaccinated and continuing to mask up and follow health protocols.”
At each in-stadium vaccination location, vaccinations are being administered by Seattle Fire Department mobile EMS units, and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is providing staffing and volunteers to support the vaccination process. Fans have the choice between receiving the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or receiving a first dose of the Moderna vaccine.
If receiving Moderna, those being vaccinated are also able to schedule their second dose, which will take place at any one of the City of Seattle’s community vaccination hubs of the fan’s choice.
Both vaccines are only available to those 18 years old or older. The vaccines are only available to those who are unvaccinated; if a fan has already received one dose of a vaccine elsewhere, they cannot receive their second dose at the in-stadium clinics.
Sounders FC and Lumen Field will continue to abide by previously instituted health and safety measures for matches, including requiring all fans, stadium and team employees to wear face masks, seating fans in pod groups and providing a touchless venue experience. More information about Lumen Field’s enhanced health and safety measures can be found here.
Outside of vaccinations offered at Sounders FC matches, Lumen Field continues to operate as one of the City of Seattle’s community vaccination hubs, alongside fixed sites at North Seattle College, Rainier Beach and West Seattle. Those unable to attend a match but who still wish to be vaccinated can book appointments at Lumen Field and other vaccination sites and are encouraged to do so.
For more information about the City of Seattle’s vaccination efforts, including links to sign up for vaccinations and vaccine Q&As, please visit Seattle.gov/Mayor/Covid-19/Vaccinations.
