Shift comes as state shifts doses to health workers in Portland area
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon health authority will not send a first dose of COVID-19 vaccines to Deschutes County next week, as some planned shipments are being relocated to the Portland area, where thousands of Phase 1a health workers are still waiting to be vaccinated .
As a result, the first dose of vaccine appointments were fully booked at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, officials announced late Friday, and registration will be closed until the state grants additional first doses to Deschutes County.
Persons eligible for their second dose of the vaccine may receive their shot according to schedule. Appointments are scheduled when individuals receive their first vaccine, and OHA has committed to sending second doses.
“In the latter part of each week, we learn about the Oregon Health Authority’s vaccination award for next week,” said Dr. George Conway, director of Deschutes County Health Services. “Next week we will know if we can expect more vaccination for next week, and our communities will stay informed.”
Deschutes County Health Services and St. Charles Health System will resume vaccination planning for eligible individuals when additional first-dose vaccines are received.
Deschutes County Health Services has launched an online platform that allows residents to sign up to be notified when they are eligible. More information is available at www.deschutes.org/covid19vaccine.
The Oregonian / Oregon Live reported that the Portland area will receive more than 17,000 doses for Phase 1a workers next week, and nearly 14,000 of them will represent new doses, for a total of 32,000 doses next week. This is due to an increase of 10,000 doses of Moderna, as well as the reduction of doses to provinces that have completed 1a population.
Friday’s news comes a day after Portland health officials said tens of thousands of health workers could wait weeks or months to get a vaccine, when some areas, such as Deschutes County, completed phase 1a vaccinations and began phase 1b vaccinations. to offer vaccinations to all residents aged 75 and older.