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Expects to vaccinate 2,500 this weekend; babysitters, elders to follow
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Deschutes County announced Thursday that it has received approval from the Oregon Health Authority to begin providing COVID-19 vaccines to local educators and staff in Kindergarten to Grade 12 .
The approval signals the start of vaccine delivery to residents in Phase 1B of the state’s immunization framework.
Deschutes County and the St. Charles Health System said they plan to provide vaccines to 2,500 K-12 teachers this weekend.
The county and St. Charles are coordinating with local school districts and private schools to directly educate employees and provide instructions on how educators can schedule vaccine appointments online.
Depending on the vaccine supply, childcare providers will be notified and start getting vaccinated as early as next week.
The Council of Commissioners on Wednesday authorized Deschutes County Health Departments to submit the request to the OHA, which contained an attestation that the county has completed distribution of the Phase 1A vaccine. People in phase 1A will continue to be able to make an appointment at the Fair & Expo Center.
“We are delighted to enter this new phase of vaccine distribution and to begin providing vaccines to local educators,” County Commissioner Tony DeBone said. “We know that there is strong anticipation in our community among residents who want to receive the vaccine. Deschutes County Health Services and St. Charles Health System staff are working diligently to distribute as many vaccines as possible. “
Residents of Deschutes County who wish to be notified when they are eligible to receive the vaccine can complete the vaccine interest form at vaccine.deschutes.org. Deschutes County is also working with local health care providers and community partners to inform residents of Deschutes County when they are eligible to receive the vaccine.
Adults 80 years and older will become eligible to receive the vaccine on February 8. When more information becomes available, county health officials will share the process for scheduling an appointment for the vaccine.
As of Wednesday, 12,290 residents of Deschutes County received COVID-19 vaccines. Deschutes County is seventh in the state per capita in terms of vaccine distribution.
“We are excited to be able to move to Group 1b and start offering the COVID-19 vaccine to our K-12 educators, educators and early childhood staff,” said Dr. Jeff Absalon, chief of St. executive physician.
“This week, we set up our community vaccination clinic at Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, positioning ourselves well to be able to vaccinate large numbers of people in a short period of time. We hope that we will continue to receive awards. vaccine, so that we can open immunization as soon as possible to the next eligible groups. “
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