Kelly Beckley, RN, is preparing the Pfizer vaccine ahead of the opening of a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Oregon Convention Center in January.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
The Oregon Health Authority announced Monday that 13 counties could begin giving doses to agricultural workers, homeless people and other vulnerable populations.
The move follows Oregon’s announcement last week that it would speed up vaccination timelines to meet the Biden administration’s goal of being eligible for all adults by May 1st.
As part of the move, state health officials said provincial eligible groups, such as the elderly, could apply to the state to switch to groups that may not yet be eligible.
Thirteen Oregon counties have applied so far and received approval to continue: Baker, Benton, Deschutes, Grant, Jefferson, Lake, Lincoln, Malheur, Marion, Morrow, Polk, Umatilla and Union.
We announce that 13 Oregon counties (Baker, Benton, Deschutes, Grant, Jefferson, Lake, Lincoln, Malheur, Marion, Morrow, Polk, Umatilla, and Union) have submitted statements indicating their intention to present immediately. # COVID-19 vaccines to extended fitness groups. ⬇️
OR Health Authority (@OHAOregon) 22 March 2021
The provinces will now be able to enter Phase 1b, Group 6 vaccination priorities, which include adults aged 45 to 64 with an underlying health condition, migrant and seasonal farm workers, seafood and agricultural workers, food processors, homeless people, people who are displaced. by wildfires, firefighters in the field, pregnant women over the age of 16 and people living in low-income, senior municipal and independent housing.
The state plans to update its Get-Vaccinated Oregon online tool to reflect the changes.
People in other Oregon counties who are within Phase 1b, group 6, will largely have to wait until March 29, when the group will be eligible for the vaccine nationwide.
To date, the Oregon Health Authority reports that it has administered just over 1.5 million doses of vaccines across the country.