Oregon Governor Kate Brown Steps Up Schedule for Some COVID-19 Vaccinations

Oregon Governor Kate Brown Steps Up Timeline to Expand Access to COVID-19 Vaccine to All People 65 and Over, as well as Child Care Providers and Teachers and kindergarten to grade 12 staff.

The federal government announced Tuesday that it was releasing the full supply of vaccine doses to states rather than withholding some and lowering the age of eligibility to 65.

Brown responded Tuesday night by announcing that Oregonians 65 and older and people who work in schools and early learning institutions can begin receiving doses on Jan.23.

“While this is an unexpected change of course for the federal government, receiving more vaccines is good news for states,” Brown said in a written statement.

Oregon has lagged behind other states and Brown’s target for vaccine deployment. The Oregon Health Authority is working with the National Guard and pharmacies to speed up getting doses to those eligible in the first round – primarily health care providers, emergency workers, and people living in nursing homes and serviced residences. The state reports between 6,000 and 7,000 doses administered per day; Brown wants that number to reach 12,000.

In her statement on Wednesday, Brown said she was confident the system was improving. Nonetheless, she urged those who will be eligible in the next round to be patient. She blamed the Trump administration for some of the confusion.

“Please do not call your doctor’s office or health care provider to find out when you can be vaccinated,” Brown said. “Today’s news came without notice from the federal government. Oregon healthcare providers are working as fast as they can on a human level to change their vaccine delivery plans to meet this sudden change in national guidelines. “

Brown said she would reveal more details of Oregon’s fast-track distribution plan on Friday.