by Blair Stenvick • Jan 28, 2021 at 10:50 am
Stranded on a snowy highway, six Oregonians got surprise COVID-19 vaccines last night. Josephine County Public Health
Late last night, Oregonians got something we’ve been a little short on lately: Some good vaccine-related news.
“When Josephine County Public Health staff and volunteers concluded their mass vaccination event at the Illinois Valley High School this afternoon, they never guessed they might be setting up an impromptu clinic on the way back to Grants Pass. But that s exactly what happened when a snowstorm stranded about 20 personnel on Highway 199 near Hayes Hill.
At the end of the IVHS clinic, the team had six doses of COVID-19 vaccinations left to administer. Recipients had been identified in Grants Pass, but the snow meant those doses wouldn t make it to them before they expired. Not wanting to waste any doses, dedicated JCPH staff members began walking from car to car, of
Josephine County Public Health Administers Vaccines to Motorists Stranded near Hayes Hill
When Josephine County Public Health staff and volunteers concluded their mass vaccination at Illinois Valley High School yesterday, they never imagined they might be setting up an impromptu clinic on the way back to Grants Pass.
But that s exactly what happened when a snowstorm stranded about 20 personnel on Redwood Highway near Hayes Hill.
At the end of the IVHS clinic on Tuesday afternoon, the team still had six doses of COVID-19 vaccinations left to administer. Recipients of the leftover vaccinations had been identified in Grants Pass, but the snow-covered highway meant those doses would not make it to them before they expired.
Josephine County health staff administer leftover vaccine to drivers waiting on snowbound road
Photo courtesy of Christi Siedlecki
When the last attendees of a Cave Junction vaccine clinic were served, Josephine County Public Health still had six doses remaining.
Posted: Jan 27, 2021 9:28 AM
Updated: Jan 27, 2021 9:37 AM
Posted By: Jamie Parfitt
CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. With a handful of COVID-19 vaccine doses left after winter weather caused the closure of a vaccine clinic at Illinois Valley High School, Josephine County health staff administered what was left to drivers stuck waiting on the snowbound roadway.
The vaccine clinic shut down before 3 p.m. as severe winter weather began blanketing parts of Highway 199 in snow. Health staff served anyone who was still waiting in line at the time that the clinic closed. But when the last attendees were served, Josephine County Public Health still had six doses remaining.
A COVID-19 vaccination event on Sunday in Grants Pass.
COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Josephine County were complicated this week because of winter weather bringing snow and rain to Southern Oregon.
Health officials offered mass vaccinations on Sunday and Monday at the Josephine County Fairgrounds in Grants Pass. But snow and rain, and people having to stand in line, resulted in lower numbers than public health officials had hoped for.
“There’s a lot of mountains in this area and there’s a lot of roads that people are nervous driving on when we start getting icy weather. It’s important that people stay safe and we’re glad that people made the decision if they needed to, to stay home,” said Josephine County Public Health Director Mike Weber.
Mass vaccinations continue in Josephine County
People in Phase 1-A and educators can still get the vaccine on January 26 at Illinois Valley High School.
Posted: Jan 25, 2021 6:53 PM
Updated: Jan 25, 2021 6:57 PM
Posted By: Tyler Ridgle
GRANTS PASS, Ore. Asante continued to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to people in Phase 1-A at the Josephine County Fairgrounds on January 25. People in Josephine County will have another opportunity for vaccinations Tuesday, January 26.
The first come, first serve event will be held at Illinois Valley High School and will start at 11 a.m until around 4 p.m., depending on weather. Eligible patients include those in Phase 1-A and educators and they are being asked to arrive an hour earlier.