The Oregon Health Authority told OPB on Wednesday that all adult Oregonians are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by May 1st.
President Joe Biden drafted the timeline on May 1 earlier this month, but Oregon Brown government Kate Brown said that while she wanted to meet the timeline, she would not change the state’s schedule until she was sure enough vaccines would be available. do not come.
The hesitation stems from promises made for vaccines under the Trump administration, which did not come then.
Margene Haworth, left, receives a COVID-19 vaccination from McMinnville paramedic Elle Miller, February 5, 2021, at Friendsview Retirement Community in Newberg, Oregon. Oregon officials say all adults may be eligible by May 1st.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has now sent an instruction to Oregon to qualify all Oregonians by May 1st.
Patrick Allen, director of the health authority in Oregon, spoke on Wednesday about Think Out Loud and said the state will comply with the federal request.
“It makes us a little nervous,” Allen said. “To be honest, this government was generally pretty good at what we assured we would be able to see.”
Listen to the full conversation:
The timeline does not mean that everyone can get a vaccine on May 1, but that they can then apply for an appointment.
Allen said the Oregon Health Authority is considering qualifying some people sooner than they would be admitted on May 1, such as frontline workers, people in multi-generational households and younger people with pre-existing conditions.
Biden also said the federal government is trying to make it easier for people to make appointments to be vaccinated.
Allen said he does not know what the new federal system might look like, but he thinks the vaccine supply should double twice on May 1 at one time.
“These problems are actually getting easier than more difficult, because effectively you’re starting to get vaccinated everywhere,” Allen said. ‘At that point, you can find it at your local healthcare provider’s office. You can find it at your local pharmacy in greater quantities than it is now. ”
The state will also continue to offer the shots at mass clinics currently in operation.
The Oregon Health Authority has partnered with Google to create a vaccine registration tool. The website getvaccinated.oregon.gov does not offer appointments, but does provide a provider when someone is eligible.