Governor Brown decides that Oregonians who are at least 16 can now be vaccinated

Posted April 2021

By Isabelle Donahue

Staff Editor

Governor Kate Brown announced on April 6 that the eligibility date for Oregonians 16 and older would move up from May 1 to April 19, that the state must "move as quickly as possible" to vaccinate everyone as virus cases continue to rise.

Oregon’s COVID-19 cases, as of late March, were steadily rising. In the first week of April Oregon experienced a 94% increase in its cases. This caused many officials to place restrictions back to previously opened counties and worries of a “fourth-wave” of COVID cases. Other states were also experiencing spikes in cases, something many health officials blame spring break traveling for, and President Joe Biden made his plans for making all Americans eligible for the vaccine as soon as possible. Some states were experiencing lash back, or a lack of people signing up for appointments, but Oregon didn’t seem to have this issue. About 40% of state residents had received at least one dose of a vaccine, according to state data, or about 50%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The current running average in Oregon is now at 37,507 doses per day. It is predicted that eight out of ten Oregonians will have both vaccine shots by July 4.

“We are locked in a race between vaccine distribution and the rapid spread of COVID-19 variants," Brown said in a statement. "Today, Oregon will pass the threshold of 2 million vaccine doses administered. And yet, in communities across Oregon, COVID-19 is spreading at concerning rates. We must move as quickly as possible to get more shots in arms."

Vaccinations have not been administered evenly across Oregon, with some counties having vaccinated less than a quarter of their populations and others having vaccinated about half. Several rural counties have been slower to vaccinate, though a few are making better progress than the Portland tri-county. Rural counties have also been slower to vaccinate seniors, a trend that has showed up nationwide. Demand started to level off at the end of March, and last week, 13 counties asked OHA to not send more vaccines, as they didn't need it.

The most common places to make an appointment are at state vaccination hubs or at pharmacies/health clinics/medical providers, though Oregonians have to make an appointment directly through Costco, Walgreens, Health Mart, and Albertsons. People can also use a federally backed online tool called VaccineFinder lets them search for vaccination sites by zip code, with links to appointments.

Some vaccination sites ask for proof of identity or eligibility. Officials recommend that Oregonians bring a driver’s license or other state-issued ID that shows name, age and state residency, and a health insurance card, if they have one. They will not be charged, but the vaccine provider may bill their insurer a fee for administering the vaccine. If Oregonians are prioritized because of an underlying medical condition or based on their work, they may need a note from their doctor, a pay stub or badge, or some other form of proof. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says to wear a mask at all appointments.

After receiving the first shot, Oregonians are given a small card with their name, date of birth, name of the vaccine they received, and the date it was administered. For those who receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, the card should be brought to the second shot appointment. This vaccine card may be needed for certain kinds of travel or other activities, so Oregonians are reminded to keep it safe. It should be kept on their person or the information should be kept though a photo. If they lose the card, or didn’t receive one, they should contact the vaccine provider or their local health department to get a copy.