Oregon residents aged 80 and over will have widespread access to COVID-19 vaccines starting Monday, February 8, making older residents the newest group eligible for coronavirus protection.
In fact, getting the vaccine can be a headache, between making appointments online, going to the vaccination sites and reviewing everything for a second dose.
As seniors in Oregon begin to head to vaccination sites across the state, here are five important things you should know about how to get the long-awaited protection against COVID-19.
1. Only seniors aged 80 and over will be eligible for the time being.
Monday will mark the first of four phases of vaccination for the elderly in Oregon this winter. People aged 75 and over will be eligible for the next round starting on February 15, followed by people aged 70 and over on February 22 and people aged 65 and over on March 1.
State officials are asking for patience and asking only eligible people to seek nominations in the coming days. The state announced on Friday that it would debut a new tool on its website covidvaccine.oregon.gov this week, which allows users to subscribe to receive email alerts or text notifications about vaccine events in their area.
Read More: Oregon lacks a targeted plan to ensure that vulnerable elderly people are vaccinated amid the expected ‘chaos’, advocates say
2. Make an appointment online or by phone, text message or email.
Qualified seniors can make an appointment online by visiting covidvaccine.oregon.gov. In the center of the page, there is a link that says “Vaccination Qualification Tool and FAQ” with a button that says “Let’s get started”. This option calls for a chat service that can help determine if you are eligible and redirect to an appointment page, if applicable.
First appointments for seniors are expected to be available online at 9 am on Monday, according to Washington County Health and Human Services.
Appointments can also be made by telephone, by calling 2-1-1. Seniors can also send an email to [email protected] or send an ORCOVID text message to 898211 to start a conversation about scheduling an appointment.
Read More: How Oregon’s elderly can get the COVID-19 vaccine: who is eligible, how to schedule an appointment, how long it will take
3. Don’t expect to get an appointment right away.
Luck can play a role in how quickly you make a commitment. Some may be able to make an appointment immediately, while many others will have to wait several weeks to make an appointment, let alone be vaccinated. Factors include where you live, how many people around you are eligible at the same time, and how quickly you browse the online system.
Public health officials have warned that this week may bring “chaos”, as the state still suffers from inadequate vaccine supplies to meet increased demand.
4. Vaccination locations vary by county, many will take place in mass clinics.
Oregon’s most populous counties have set up mass clinics to distribute vaccines. Two of these clinics at the Oregon Convention Center and Portland International Airport will serve many in the Portland metropolitan area, while the Oregon State Fairgrounds will serve those in the Salem area.
Local pharmacies will be able to offer vaccines in some Oregon counties, including next week. Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen said on Friday that the state will receive 13,000 doses this week to 133 different pharmacies. Further details have not yet been announced.
Read More: The first COVID-19 mass vaccination site in Portland is open: Here’s what you need to know
5. Vaccines are safe and effective, although mild side effects are common.
Clinical trials have shown that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are extremely effective, preventing COVID-19 disease in more than 94% of uninfected people after receiving two doses.
Vaccines are also extremely safe for the vast majority of people who receive them. Side effects are normal after administration of the vaccine, including pain and swelling at the injection site, with the possibility of fever, chills, fatigue and headaches. Studies have shown that most people will only have mild or moderate cases and that serious side effects are rare.
To reduce pain in your arm, apply a clean, fresh, damp towel to the injection site or exercise your arm, recommends the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It is okay to take over-the-counter pain relievers to relieve other symptoms, but DO NOT take them before the injection (unless advised by your doctor), as the drug can reduce the vaccine’s effectiveness, AARP warned on Friday.
–Jamie Hale; [email protected]; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB