Oregonians ages 65+ can soon get vaccine January 12 2021
As state ties COVID-19 death record, Brown says seniors will get doses. Meanwhile, feds ship doses faster.
Gov. Kate Brown announced on Tuesday, Jan. 12, that the COVID-19 vaccine will be made available to all Oregonians age 65 and up, just as education and child-care workers will.
The change in eligibility, which takes effect Jan. 23, comes as health officials reported 54 more deaths associated with COVID-19 in Oregon, tying the state s previous single-day record.
However, that total includes deaths that occurred some time ago, but had not been reported due to holiday delays, officials said.
Brown s decision expanding the categories of people eligible for the vaccine to the elderly, education and childcare, was announced the same day that the federal government announced plans to distribute more doses of the vaccine faster, rather than keeping some in storage.
January 13 2021
The state agency released new information this week about the news, saying that workplaces may also make exceptions.
Oregon law says that workplaces can require employees to get the COVID vaccine, according to the Bureau of Labor and Industries.
The state agency released new information this week about the news, saying that workplaces may also make exceptions.
Employers are not required to mandate the vaccine, however. And until the vaccine is widely available to the public, many of these guidances do not yet apply.
BOLI has a FAQ on their website with more information.
KOIN 6 News is a news partner of the Portland Tribune. Their story can be found here.
County unveils vaccine timeline estimates January 12 2021
State health officials merge four Phase 1 groups, opening the door for vaccinating multiple groups of locals
The COVID-19 vaccine is beginning to be delivered around the nation and to Oregon counties, and Crook County received their first allotment on Dec. 30. Distributions have started and will continue as the vaccine continues to be available.
Projected vaccination schedule
During the next two months, officials will focus on Phase 1a of distribution, with vaccines going primarily to health care workers and high-risk patients. Those people have been divided into four subgroups, all of which are concurrently eligible to receive the vaccine.
Oregon vaccination rate rises slightly January 10 2021
State health officials also report 1,225 more cases and two additional deaths from the virus.
Vaccinations against COVID-19 inched up slightly in Oregon on Sunday as state health officials reported 1,225 more cases and two additional deaths.
The Oregon Health Authority said on Jan. 10 that 37% of allocated vaccine doses have now been administered, compared to 34% on Saturday. That is up from the approximately 25% when Oregon Gov. Kate Brown directed OHA to increase the rate last week.
The OHA reported on Sunday that the state s vaccination total has now neared 100,000 as vaccine clinics around the stated added 8,648 doses Saturday, bringing the state total to more than 97,000 doses. All vaccinations occurred at Oregon hospitals, long-term care facilities, emergency medical service (EMS) agencies, urgent care facilities and Local Public Health Authorities (LPHAs).
Brown calls out National Guard to help vaccination push
Efforts are underway to speed up the slow start to inoculate Oregonians against COVID-19.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is calling out the National Guard to help speed up the state s rocky start to vaccinating residents against the COVID-19 virus.
The troops will provide vaccination support at inoculation events beginning Tuesday, Brown said during a news briefing Friday, Jan. 8.
A clinic planned for this weekend in Salem hopes to vaccinate about 250 people per hour to buck up Oregon s slow start to inoculating the first groups against the virus. The first group eligible for the shots includes health care workers, first responders and residents in congregate living situations, such as nursing homes.