From January 23, following the guidelines of the CDC, an increase in vaccine doses is expected; seeking patience, Brown asks people not to call doctors, providers
SALEM, Oregon. (KTVZ) – Based on updated guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Governor Kate Brown announced on Tuesday that Oregon will expand COVID-19 vaccinations to include all individuals 65 and older.
In addition, the federal government announced that it would release its entire reserve of vaccines available to the states, instead of keeping some doses stored for a second later dose.
Vaccination of Oregon senior citizens – as well as child care and early childhood education providers and elementary and high school educators and staff – will begin on Saturday, January 23, when additional vaccine shipments are expected to begin arriving from the federal government.
“While this is an unexpected change in the course of the federal government, receiving more vaccines is good news for states – and Oregon is ready to devote all the resources it needs to increase distribution with our health partners,” said Brown.
“The Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon National Guard have already started working with hospitals, pharmacies and local public health partners to ensure that Oregon’s senior citizens and educators have immediate access to a vaccine. We will be detailing the plans on Friday for rapid vaccine deployment for healthcare professionals and mass vaccination sites across Oregon.
“If you are an Oregon citizen who has just applied for vaccination, I am asking for your patience. Please do not call your doctor’s or health care professional’s office with questions about when you may be vaccinated. Today’s news came without notice from the federal government. Oregon health care providers are working as quickly as humanly possible to change their vaccine distribution plans to meet this sudden change in national guidelines.
“Now, more than ever, I am determined to ensure that communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 have access to a vaccine: black, indigenous, tribal, Latino, Latino and Latino, Pacific Islanders and communities of color from Oregon. Reaching educators and individuals aged 65 and over in these communities is absolutely critical, as we strive to achieve equitable distribution of the vaccine at each stage of this process.
The governor and the Oregon Health Authority will provide more details about Oregon’s distribution plans for the elderly and educators, as well as how Oregon will continue to target the most vulnerable populations to COVID-19 on Friday.