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(Update: OHA says 20 counties have expanded eligibility, including 3 in CO)
But still not enough doses for all who are eligible; priorities set by the OHA
SALEM, Oregon (KTVZ) – The Oregon Health Authority announced Wednesday that 20 counties in Oregon (including three in central Oregon) have submitted attestation letters signaling their intention to immediately offer COVID vaccines -19 to extended eligibility groups.
The counties are Benton, Coos, Crook, Deschutes, Douglas Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Malheur, Marion, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union and Wheeler.
By attesting to this, these counties can now begin immunizing everyone listed in Phase 1B, Group 7, by the previously designated state start date of April 5.
“Increasing immunization in these counties will allow us to vaccinate our frontline workers more quickly while allowing counties with an adequate supply to fully utilize their COVOD-19 vaccine allocation,” said Patrick Allen, director of the OHA.
Group 7 includes:
- Frontline workers, as defined by the CDC.
- People living in multigenerational households.
- People aged 16 to 44 with one or more health problems at increased risk.
On Monday, people in phase 1B, group 6 became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
More than 1.8 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across Oregon.
Deschutes County said on Wednesday it had expanded vaccine eligibility to people in Phase 1B, Group 7, including frontline workers, adults with certain underlying health conditions and people living with in multigenerational households.
Vaccine appointments will be scheduled using the Central Oregon Vaccine Pre-Registration System at www.centraloregoncovidvaccine.com.
Phase 1B, group 7 includes:
“We are delighted to begin vaccinating frontline workers in Deschutes County. These men and women have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic, ”said Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone. “This marks an important turning point as we are able to help make things safer for those who have played a key role in the functioning of our communities over the past year.
Residents are encouraged to pre-register online at www.centraloregoncovidvaccine.com. Those who pre-register will be contacted via email and SMS with a link to schedule their vaccine appointment when they are eligible and a dose is available for them.
The St Charles Health System began sending out invitations to newly eligible residents on Wednesday. Appointments are sent at staggered intervals throughout the week.
However, officials said there will still not be enough vaccines to vaccinate all of the newly eligible central Oregon this week.
The pre-registration system allows appointments to be prioritized, based on eligibility guidelines from the Oregon Health Authority.
Availability of vaccines in local pharmacies
Some pharmacies in central Oregon offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible groups through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 Vaccination. There won’t be enough vaccines to immunize all eligible Oregonians at these locations, due to limited supply. The availability of appointments changes frequently. Appointments may be available by visiting https://vaccinefinder.org.
Vaccine eligibility
As of March 31, eligible groups include:
- Phase 1B, Group 7
- Phase 1B, Group 6
- Adults 65 and over
- Phase 1B, Group 1
- Phase 1A
Residents of central Oregon in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties can pre-register for the vaccine online at www.centraloregoncovidvaccine.com.
To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine in central Oregon, visit:
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