How to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Oregon
As of Jan. 25., everyone in Phase 1A and group one of Phase 1B are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Oregon. That includes:
- Health care workers and first responders
- Long-term care residents
- K-12 educators and school staff
- Childcare providers
Oregon introduced a new online tool that allows eligible residents of Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas and Columbia counties to sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The eligibility tool is open to everyone in Oregon to use and ask questions.
Oregon seniors blocked from signing up for COVID vaccine shots until Monday
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will not allow seniors 80 and older to sign up in advance for COVID-19 vaccine shots. They will have to wait until Monday, Feb. 8, when they become eligible, according to an OHA spokesman.
During the first week, 19,900 doses will be available statewide for those seniors, a group that is the most vulnerable in Oregon when it comes to COVID-19. That group includes roughly 168,000 people. OHA Director Patrick Allen told a legislative committee he expects things to be rough.
"Every state that’s opened to seniors has had some form of chaos on its hands and I want to be completely transparent. We're gonna have some form of chaos on our hands too,” Allen said.
Oregon inmates to start getting vaccinated on week of Feb. 8 following judge's ruling
On Tuesday, a federal judge ordered the state to offer a COVID-19 vaccine to all inmates in Oregon Department of Corrections facilities. KGW has learned Gov. Kate Brown's office directed 5,000 vaccines to the prison system. Vaccination clinics will start the week of Feb. 8. Another 5,000 vaccines should arrive the following week. More than 1,300 older and more vulnerable inmates have already been vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccine sites in Southwest Washington
Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is more readily available in Washington, thousands are looking for ways to get appointments so they can get a shot.
Currently, Washington is in Phase 1B Tier 1 of its vaccine rollout. All people 65 years or older, and all people 50 years or older in multigenerational households qualify for the shot.
The first step is to find out what phase you're in and whether you're eligible for vaccination using the PhaseFinder tool. Follow the PhaseFinder instructions and, if you're eligible, print your confirmation form. Then you can find a local provider.
Growing call volume overwhelms 211 in Oregon, SW Washington
Many seniors and those without internet access have come to rely on 211 for answers about COVID-19. But officials with the hotline say their virtual call center has been overwhelmed as they try to keep up with growing demand, especially during the vaccine rollout.
Johnson & Johnson asks US regulators to OK its one-shot COVID-19 vaccine
Johnson & Johnson asked U.S. regulators Thursday, Feb. 4, to clear the world’s first single-dose COVID-19 vaccine, an easier-to-use option that could boost scarce supplies. J&J’s vaccine was safe and offered strong protection against moderate to severe COVID-19, according to preliminary results from a massive international study.
VERIFY: Yes, in rare cases, your COVID-19 shots can be from different brands
Health officials have said one of the logistical challenges they face in fully vaccinating people is making sure people are getting the same brand for both shots. But there are rare situations when you can mix and match.