Oregon begins widespread vaccination for people 80 years and older from Monday.
Oregon is one of the last states in the country to move toward vaccination of the elderly, a fact that has been contained for weeks by The Oregonian / OregonLive. Oregon does have one of the nation’s lowest infection rates.
On Friday, state health leaders and Gov. Kate Brown warned that next week could be ‘chaos’, and that the state is still suffering from insufficient vaccine provision to meet the increased demand as seniors are eligible.
Oregon does not vaccinate all seniors at once, but rather chooses a phased approach over a few weeks. This is what you need to know to try to navigate the chaos.
Who is eligible on Monday?
People aged 80 and over can be vaccinated from Monday. Next week (February 15), Oregonians aged 75 and over will be eligible, followed by 70 years and older (February 22) and people aged 65 and over (March 1).
How fast can I get an appointment? Same day? A week?
This is a difficult question. It may take a few weeks to book an appointment, let alone be vaccinated. Others may be happier. Much depends on where you live, how many other seniors are eligible at the same time and how fast you navigate through the online system.
Why have some of my senior friends been vaccinated?
Or they lived in less populated provinces that moved quickly through the 1a population and educators and made them eligible because they lived in community care or had qualifying jobs, because they had commitments and could play the system, or because they were in were able to arrive at a vaccination clinic at the end of the day and land a shot before dying.
OK, where do I go to get vaccinated when it’s time?
If you’re in the Portland metro area, chances are the appointment is at the Oregon Convention Center, the mass clinic in the centrally located facility run by Oregon Health & Science University, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health, and Providence. Other provinces also have mass clinics (see Salem Health’s state-of-the-art facility or other events across the country. It again depends on where you live.)
What about my doctor’s office or pharmacy? These are the places I trust. Can I finally go there?
Again, it depends on where you live, and only time will tell when that is doable. Gov. Brown said Friday that Douglas County health officials are working with primary care providers to arrange appointments there. This is not the case in other provinces. Pharmacies will eventually receive doses in Oregon, also next week. Oregon Health Director Patrick Allen said Friday that the state will receive 13,000 doses available at 133 different pharmacies next week. It’s about everything we know now.
OK, how do I try to schedule my appointment?
Go to covidvaccine.oregon.gov on Monday to schedule an appointment if you are eligible (you can try earlier if you like). In the middle of the page there is a link with the heading: “Tool for vaccine and questions” with a button: “Let’s get started.” The option asks for a chat service that can help determine if you are eligible and if so redirect you to an appointment page.
I do not have a computer. How else can I do this?
You can call 2-1-1 for more information on the vaccination process and how to schedule an appointment.
What about text messages?
Seniors can also send ORCOVID to the number “898211” to start a conversation about scheduling an appointment.
What about email?
People can also email [email protected].
I’m not eligible Monday, but can I get on a waiting list or something?
The state announced Friday that it will debut a new tool on its website covidvaccine.oregon.gov next week that will allow users to sign up to receive email alerts or notifications about vaccinations in their area.
How long will it take to vaccinate all these elderly people?
This is an excellent question. According to census records, there are approximately 767,000 Oregonians aged 65 and over. It will take a few weeks to get through all the Oregonians who want an appointment. On Friday, state leaders said they estimate that 75% of all seniors, teachers and 1a-eligible Oregonians who want a chance will receive their first dose by April.
– Andrew Theen; [email protected]; 503-294-4026; @andrewtheen