Gov. Brown, OHA outline accelerated COVID-19 vaccination timeline - KTVZ

(Update: Adding Gov. Brown video, news release)

If expected doses come through, all who want it should have access by May 31

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Gov. Kate Brown on Friday welcomed news of the CDC's reduced distancing guidelines for schools, from 6 to 3 feet, as state health officials announced details of accelerated vaccine eligibility in coming weeks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA3EspASTvU

Regarding the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, Brown said, “This is welcome news for many school districts,” adding that school districts still need to have conversations with the communities about the details of moving forward. “I do hope this helps get even more of our kids back into classrooms.”

If projected vaccine supplies come through, Oregon will meet President Biden’s timeline of all adults eligible to get the vaccine by May 1. Brown said the state expects to have enough doses that every Oregon adult who wants the vaccine can have at least their first dose by the end of May.

“The future is looking brighter, every single day,” she said.

Oregon Vaccine Prioritization Timeline

March 22
• Counties that attest to largely completing the vaccination of residents 65 and older may begin vaccinating the next eligible groups.
• Vaccinations may also begin for migrant and seasonal farmworkers in counties where they are currently already working.

March 29
Phase 1B, Group 6
• All adults 45-64 with underlying health conditions,
• Migrant and seasonal farm workers,
• Seafood and agricultural workers,
• Food processing workers,
• People living in low-income senior housing, senior congregate and independent living,
• Individuals experiencing homelessness,
• People currently displaced by wildfires,
• Wildland firefighters, and
• Pregnant people 16 and older.

April 19
Phase 1B, Group 7
• Frontline workers as defined by the CDC,
• Multigenerational household members, and
• Adults 16-44 with underlying health conditions.

May 1
• All Oregonians, 16 and older

OHA Director Patrick Allen noted some counties have made more progress than others – Deschutes County, for example, has vaccinated 7 in 10 seniors, and may be granted authority to move up the planned timeline and begin vaccinating the next population.

Allen said they expect 2.5 million doses by May 1 and 3.3 million by the end of the month, making it possible all eligible Oregonians who want the vaccine could be vaccinated within 10 weeks.

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News release:

Governor Kate Brown Announces Accelerated Vaccination Timelines

(Salem, OR) — In a press briefing with the Oregon Health Authority, Governor Kate Brown today announced Oregon’s accelerated vaccination prioritization timelines. The Governor was joined by Patrick Allen, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Director; Dr. Dean Sidelinger, State Epidemiologist; and Holden Leung, Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Health & Service Center.

"As vaccination efforts speed up, I want to thank Oregonians once again for making smart choices throughout this pandemic. Oregon continues to hold one of the lowest infection and mortality rates in the entire country. We have the fourth lowest infection rate since the start of the pandemic, and fifth lowest mortality rate. Your actions have saved lives," said Governor Brown. "As we open up eligibility to all Oregonians on May 1st, I remain committed to the equitable distribution of vaccines for our seniors, frontline workers, and Oregonians with underlying health conditions."

"The Oregon Health Authority tells me that, provided supplies come in from the federal government as anticipated, we expect to have enough doses for every Oregonian who wants a vaccine to have the opportunity for at least a first dose by the end of May. That makes me smile. I hope it does for you too. The future's looking brighter every day."

Starting March 22, counties that can attest to largely finishing vaccinations for Oregonians 65 and older can move to the next prioritization groups. No later than March 29, vaccinations may begin for Phase 1B, Group 6, which includes people aged 45 and older with underlying conditions and some groups most vulnerable to COVID-19. On April 19, vaccinations may begin for Phase 1B, Group 7, which includes all frontline workers and people with underlying conditions aged 16-44. On May 1, all Oregonians age 16 and older will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.

A full summary of Oregon’s accelerated vaccination timelines is available here.

Video Links

• A recording of today's live-streamed press conference is available here. Please note the video starts at the 31:30 mark.
• A recording of a Spanish language translation is available on OHA's Facebook page here. Please note the video starts at the 1:03 mark.

A copy of the Governor's prepared remarks from today's press conference is available here.

More information on vaccines is available at covidvaccine.oregon.gov.

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