He hopes to vaccinate 2,500 this weekend; child care providers, elderly people to follow
BEND, Oregon. (KTVZ) – Deschutes County announced on Thursday that it had received approval from the Oregon Health Authority to begin providing COVID-19 vaccines to local elementary and middle school educators and staff.
The approval signals the start of delivery of the vaccine to residents in Phase 1B of the state’s vaccine structure.
Deschutes County and the St. Charles Health System said they hope to provide vaccines to 2,500 elementary and high school teachers this weekend.
The county and St. Charles are coordinating with local school districts and private schools to notify employees directly and provide instructions on how educators can schedule vaccine appointments online.
Depending on the vaccine supply, child care providers will be notified and will begin to be vaccinated next week.
On Wednesday, the Council of Commissioners authorized Deschutes County Health Services to send the request to OHA, which contained a statement that the county has completed the distribution of the Phase 1A vaccine. Individuals in Phase 1A will continue to be able to schedule an appointment at the Fair & Expo Center.
“We are excited to enter this new phase of vaccine distribution and to start providing vaccines to local educators,” said county commissioner Tony DeBone. “We know that there is a significant expectation in our community among residents who wish to receive the vaccine. Staff from Deschutes County Health Services and the St. Charles Health System are working diligently to distribute as many vaccines as possible. “
Deschutes County residents 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 professionals and community partners to notify Deschutes County residents when they are eligible to receive the vaccine.
Adults aged 80 and over will become eligible to receive the vaccine on February 8. When more information is available, county health officials will share the process for scheduling a vaccine appointment.
On Wednesday, 12,290 residents in Deschutes County received the COVID-19 vaccines. Deschutes County is the seventh per capita in the state in terms of vaccine distribution.
“We are very excited to be able to move on to group 1b and start offering the COVID-19 vaccine to our K-12 educators, childcare workers and early learning staff,” said Dr. Jeff Absalon, head of St. Charles physician executive.
“This week, we set up our community vaccination clinic at Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, positioning ourselves well so that we can vaccinate large numbers of people in a short time. Our hope is that we will continue to receive lots of vaccine so that we can open vaccination as soon as possible for the next eligible groups. “