Connect with us

Eugene

Asante, Providence to begin vaccinating medical staff for COVID-19 on Friday

Published

on

MEDFORD, Ore. — Asante is one of the first healthcare providers in the state of Oregon to received a shipment of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine, but doses will be extremely limited for the near future.

Several administrators from Asante held a briefing with members of the press on Thursday, as Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center prepares to begin its first vaccinations for healthcare workers on Friday.

Oregon received its first shipment of the Pfizer vaccine on Monday, amounting to 35,100 doses, which are now being distributed to healthcare providers throughout the state. According to Asante, they are one of the first five health systems in Oregon to receive the vaccine.

The very first healthcare workers in Oregon received their vaccinations Wednesday, and the event was streamed live by Governor Kate Brown’s office and hospital administrators.

At Asante’s facilities, this first shipment will only cover doses for less than 15 percent of the staff. Medical staff who work in the highest-risk areas — where patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are being cared for — will be prioritized.

The Pfizer vaccine is particularly high-maintenance, requiring that it be kept in “ultra-cold storage” to maintain a temperature of -70 degrees Celcius prior to deployment. The Moderna vaccine, which has yet to receive emergency use authorization from the FDA, does not require the same meticulous storage method.

Asante said that it will not be receiving the Moderna vaccine, which will largely be prioritized for healthcare facilities that do not have the capacity for ultra-cold storage, particularly in more rural areas. Another shipment of the Pfizer vaccine is tentatively scheduled for arrival in Oregon on December 22, along with the first wave of Moderna doses.

It may be mid-to-late February before Asante says it will be able to vaccinate 100 percent of its staff, as shipments of the vaccine continue to trickle in.

Surveys have suggested that nearly half of Oregonians are unsure if they want to get the COVID-19 vaccine. According to Holly Nickerson, Asante’s Director of Quality, distrust is not so high among healthcare workers — but it does exist to some extent. In a survey of Asante staff, 60 percent said that they absolutely wanted to receive the vaccine as soon as possible, while the remainder at least wanted more information.

“Oregon and Vermont are actually the only two states that don’t require — it’s not a mandatory thing to vaccinate people within our state,” Nickerson said. “And so, while we cannot mandate the vaccine, and will not mandate this vaccine, it’s important that we just continue to reinforce education.”

Nickerson cited Oregon law, which stipulates that “a worker shall not be required as a condition of work to be immunized” under a section regarding immunization for healthcare workers and first responders. Employers in those fields must provide vaccines for infectious diseases “at no cost” to the worker, but cannot require them unless otherwise mandated by federal or state law.

Meanwhile, Providence says that it has received a total of 2,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine in this first wave. Those doses were distributed between the medical provider’s two Portland hospitals and Providence Medford Medical Center.

Doses of the vaccine arrived in Medford on Thursday, and Providence plans to begin vaccinating front-line caregivers on Friday afternoon.

You may also like…

Crime & Safety14 hours ago

Man threw his girIfriend’s chiId out the door like a bag after the 5-year-old refused to do chores or waIk back and forth outside in the severe heat, causing him to Iose consciousness and later die at the hospitaI: DA

Nebraska – According to Nebraska authorities, a newIy fiIed search warrants have revealed detaiIs about the aIIeged abuse suffered by...

Crime & Safety14 hours ago

Mon told poIice his girIfriend’s former spouse was foIIowing him and attempted to confront him on two separate occasions before he fataIIy stabed the man foIIowing a physicaI aItercation he cIaims the victim initiated; charged

Texas – A Texas man, 31-year-old J. Dogget, 31, was arrested earlier this week and charged with murder following the...

Eugene5 days ago

Eugene opens 56 new permanent supportive housing units downtown at Bridges on Broadway to serve residents experiencing chronic homelessness

Eugene, OR – Eugene has added 56 new units of permanent supportive housing to help residents experiencing chronic homelessness. Homes...

Eugene5 days ago

License plate reader alert leads Eugene Police to arrests after early-morning attempted vehicle break-ins

Eugene, OR – On August 22 at 3:01 a.m., a license plate reader camera alerted Eugene Police officers to a...

Eugene5 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire deployed resources to Flat Fire near Sisters, supporting Lane County task forces

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) deployed two brush engines to the Flat Fire near Sisters as part of...

Crime & Safety7 days ago

SchooI counseIor who encouraged the minor student she was indcently assauIting for years to hide the lnappropriate reIationship by telling the girl, “If she tells anyone, she will take her own life,” was charged

Colorado – A Colorado schooI counseIor was taken into custody last week and is now facing multiple felony charges related to...

Crime & Safety7 days ago

Man who kiIIed his girIfriend carrying their unborn baby several days after the victim told her sister that he threw her on the floor, strangIed her, and if anything happened to her, it was because of him, was charged

Massachusetts – A Massachusetts man has been arrested and charged with the murder of his girIfriend, K. Montero. The young...

Eugene1 week ago

Red Flag Warning issued for Southern Willamette Valley Thursday afternoon

Eugene, OR – A Red Flag Warning has been issued from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 21, for...

Eugene1 week ago

Eugene Police SWAT assists federal firearms trafficking investigation

Eugene, OR – Just after 6 a.m. on August 19, 2025, Eugene Police SWAT provided assistance to the Bureau of...

Eugene1 week ago

Eugene City Council hires new independent police auditor to oversee department

Eugene, OR – The Eugene City Council has appointed Craig Renetzky as the city’s new Independent Police Auditor. The office...

Eugene1 week ago

35-year-old man arrested on drug, weapon charges after attempting to escape Eugene officers

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit (SCU) arrested 35-year-old Adam Cole Young following an investigation into...

Trending