PORTLAND, Ore. — UPDATE: The signup process for COVID-19 vaccination in the Portland metro area will change yet again on March 1. Rather than hundreds of thousands of people scrambling to find thousands of appointments, eligible people will be notified when a dose is available for them. Read more
Original story below:
Oregon introduced a new online tool this week that allows eligible residents of Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas and Columbia counties to sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Only teachers and people in Phase 1A in the Tri-County area and Columbia County are eligible to make appointments using the new eligibility and scheduling tool.
People in Phase 1A living in the Tri-County area or Columbia County who already have an appointment to be vaccinated should plan on going to their scheduled appointment. All other eligible residents should go to the eligibility tool to schedule an appointment.
Here's a look at how eligible Tri-County area and Columbia County residents can use the new eligibility and scheduling tool on the Oregon Health Authority website to register for the COVID-19 vaccine.
STEP 1: Start by visiting the website covidvaccine.oregon.gov
STEP 2: Scroll down and click on the large button that says “Let's get started."
STEP 3: Answer several questions to determine whether you're eligible to receive the vaccine and schedule an appointment through this scheduling tool. You'll be asked if you live in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas or Columbia counties. If you answer no, you'll be redirected to your county's COVID-19 vaccine web page.
STEP 4: Once eligibility has been confirmed, the computer will let you continue and you’ll end up at a site that allows you to schedule your COVID-19 shots.
KGW reporter Pat Dooris said he tested the site. He was able to get through — he didn’t make a real appointment, he got out before that — but some people have reached out to KGW and said they haven’t been able to get through.
"The county tells us the site can only handle about 1,000 people at the same time," Dooris said. "So try to be patient. It may take a while for you to get in there."
