Connect with us

Uncategorized

The State of Oregon is still determining exactly who will receive the first round of the COVID-19 vaccine

Published

on

When it comes to populations that will be focused on when vaccines are approved, it appears healthcare workers will be among the first in line.

A vaccination plan from Oregon Health Authroity released in late October outlines vaccination challenges, infrastructure information, and issues in healthcare equity.

The draft vaccination plan also highlights issues seen during the H1N1 pandemic with regards to populations that did not have adequate access to vaccination services, including the homeless, and homebound individuals who do not have access to individual travel.

OHA believes that long-term care facility residents will also see issues with access to a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as employees of those facilities who have had more difficulty in getting vaccinations compared to other healthcare providers.

The draft plan also notes that minority populations have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, a trend that was reflected in Lane County during the early onset of the pandemic.

County health officials made a point to increase testing within the LatinX population in order to more effectively identify cases within groups that were more at risk of being exposed to the virus.

Phase One, a time period where the vaccine availability will be limited, focuses on populations including “Paid and unpaid persons serving in healthcare settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials and are unable to work from home” as well as “other essential workers […] people at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness, including people 65 years of age and older.”

The plan further elaborates potential recipients in phaes one as EMS providers, dentists, school-based health center staff, long-term care facilities, medical assistants nurses and other healthcare professions.

Phases Two and three focus on the remainder of the phase one populations as well as critical populations and the general populations.

A long list of demographics are defined as being part of “critical populations” including the elderly, healthcare staff, essential workers, minorities and the elderly.

Lane County Public Health spokesperson Jason Davis says their agency has not yet received guidance from OHA on a vaccine rollout.

“We received some very loose expectations from the state but have not seen a definite plan yet,” said Davis, noting that the state expects to get 100,000 doses of the vaccine in phase one with healthcare workers and long-term care workers being prioritized.

Davis said doses will likely be administered through hospitals and pharmacies, with LCPH expecting to help administer the second half of the first round of doses.

The draft plan from OHA says distribution of the vaccine will be similar to the way the seasonal flu shot is sent out.

That includes “extensive closed points of dispensing (POD) events with the at risk populations outlined above as well as transitioning to open POD events with community-based organizations serving communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.”

OHA also plans to add seasonal flu vaccination events to scheduled COVID-19 testing events.

Governor Kate Brown is expected to hold a press briefing Dec. 4 around 11 a.m. to address the potential vaccine.

You may also like…

Crime & Safety6 hours ago

Woman admitted to finding vehicIe additive and pest controI product on her property before mixing some of it with a gIass and giving it to her famiIy member, who became very iII on both occasions; charged

Missouri – A Missouri woman was arrested last week following allegations of attempting to polson her family member. She faces two counts...

Oregon1 day ago

Oregon State Treasury to return $11 million in unclaimed funds through ‘Checks Without Claims’ initiative

Oregon – Oregon State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner announced that approximately $11 million in unclaimed property will be returned to individuals...

Eugene1 day ago

37-year-old man arrested on multiple charges after hit-and-run incidents and police pursuit

Eugene, OR – A 37-year-old man was taken into custody after multiple hit-and-run incidents and a police pursuit through Eugene...

Eugene1 day ago

Eugene Springfield Fire designated as regional EMS training center

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire has been officially recognized as a regional training center for emergency medical services (EMS),...

Eugene1 day ago

Police seek suspect after Eugene church vandalized, thousands in damages reported

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department is investigating a burglary and vandalism incident at Wesley United Methodist Church on...

Eugene3 days ago

Motorcyclist dies in crash during memorial ride on River Road in Eugene

Eugene, OR – A motorcyclist participating in a memorial ride was killed in a crash with a vehicle on the morning...

Eugene3 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire celebrates retirement of firefighter after 22 years of service

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire honored the retirement of Firefighter Gene Revier after an impressive 22 years of dedicated...

Eugene3 days ago

Eugene mayor Knudson welcomes youth delegation from Kakegawa, Japan, marking the return of cultural exchange program

Eugene, OR – Mayor Kaarin Knudson greeted a youth delegation from Eugene’s Sister City of Kakegawa, Japan. The delegation’s four-day...

Eugene3 days ago

65-year-old woman arrested on charges of murder in the second degree after 63-year-old man dies from stab wounds

Eugene, OR – On March 29, at 6:59 p.m., Eugene Police responded to a stabbing incident at a residence in the...

Crime & Safety5 days ago

Child was obligated to put on an eIectric coIIar, which was used repeatedly, and keep it on at all times while at home so her parent could use it as discipIine whenever the child’s behavior displeased her; charges

New Jersey – ​In New Jersey, a disturbing case of child abuse has come to light, resulting in the arrest...

Oregon6 days ago

Oregon Senate Committee discusses Senate Bill 829 to provide financial relief for affordable housing and shelter providers facing insurance rate hikes

Oregon – Members of the Senate Committee on Housing and Development convened to hear testimony for Senate Bill 829, introduced...

Trending