'Phase Finder' no longer needed to verify vaccine eligibility in Washington state

Starting Wednesday, March 31, vaccine providers in Washington state will no longer have to use Phase Finder to verify whether vaccine recipients are eligible or not.

That’s according to an email the state Department of Health sent to vaccine providers Friday. Phase Finder is the state’s online tool that helps users find out if they're eligible for a Covid vaccine.

It acts as a quiz, asking a series of questions to determine eligibility. Many vaccine providers required people to show a printout or screenshot of their results from the tool before getting a shot.

The email said the department hopes removing Phase Finder from the vaccine appointment process will remove a technological hurdle for those who don’t have access to a printer, or the technical know-how to grab a screenshot.

The email also said the department trusts most people will continue to wait their turn.

And that the state’s priority now is vaccinating as many vulnerable people as possible before May 1, when everyone 16 and older will become eligible.