This 90-year-old Seattle woman hiked several snowy miles to get vaccinated against Covid

Fran Goldman, the 90-year-old great-grandmother who walked through nearly a foot of snow on February 14 to get a Covid-19 vaccination, has captured global attention and inspired awe.

Actually, Goldman first gave it a go the day before, walking just about half of the 3-mile distance to the Seattle Children’s Hospital before she had to turn back.

Like so many others, Goldman was eligible for the vaccine, but she struggled to find an appointment. She couldn’t pass up the chance when she finally got it, even if that meant going out in icy conditions.

She'll get her second dose of the vaccine in March.

For the record, she doesn't anticipate that appointment will be as much of a hassle — as long as nature cooperates anyway.

"I hope it's not snowing on March 8," Goldman said, only half-joking.

She's eager for the day when she can finally hold her newest great-grandson and pick out her own produce at the farmers market again. She hasn't been able to do her own shopping or volunteer like she normally would since before the pandemic.

So, she went to great lengths — literally and figuratively — to make it to her appointment. And while it's an inspiring story of determination, it's also an example of what people have had to risk just to get their first vaccine dose.

Goldman said just finding that first appointment was "a major occupation every day," and not everyone has her savvy or her ability to make a long trek through rough weather. Some people, including eligible seniors, may have had to give up that appointment if they ever found it to begin with.

"I think it could not have been done worse," she said of the state's troubled vaccine rollout. "It's about as bad as could be."

A group of volunteers has launched an online Covid-19 Vaccine Finder tool, found at covidwa.com.