By GARY A. WARNER/Oregon Capital Bureau
Gov. Kate Brown on Thursday ordered 32,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines redirected to the Portland area instead of going to other parts of the state.
The move came after news reports that health care workers in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas county were unable to be vaccinated because of a shortage of doses.
At the same time, other counties were inoculating groups further down the priority list because of excess doses on hand.
“Health care workers and Phase 1a individuals across the state have always been my top priority for vaccination,” Brown said
The Portland area would receive 17,000 additional shots for health care workers and 15,000 for teachers and school staff.
“That’s currently about 60% of the 53,000 first doses to be sent around the state next week, reflecting the large number of health care workers and individuals from vulnerable populations in the region,” Brown said.
The Oregonian newspaper reported Wednesday night that Brown’s office revealed how the governor was able to make it happen — Moderna boosted the state’s overall allotment.
Brown’s office provided a list of 15 counties that are ahead of schedule on inoculating priority groups. Some of the doses are from a new shipment authorized by the Centers for Disease Control.
The diversion was announced soon after news reports that Deschutes County and others were inoculating senior citizens 75 year old and up. Under the current guidelines, those groups were to received shots as late as Feb. 14.
The reason that the 15 counties are ahead of schedule was not mentioned in Brown’s statement or information from OHA.
Brown has made inoculating teachers and school staff a higher priority than vaccinations for those aged 65 and above who are most likely to get seriously ill and die from the virus.
Oregon is the only state giving priority to teachers over seniors.
Brown praised counties that had moved more swiftly than expected through the early priority groups.
“Other counties have done a fantastic job and have finished their first round of vaccines for Phase 1a populations,” Brown said. “We will push to give first doses to all Phase 1a individuals statewide before Feb. 8.”
The state will send second doses to the counties ahead of schedule so they can keep on a timeline for those who have already received their first shots.
Counties that have completed vaccinating the 1a group, which includes medical staff, health care workers, elderly in nursing homes and staff working at the facilities according to the state are Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson, Marion, Wallowa, Morrow, Baker, Polk, Jackson, Klamath, Yamhill, Grant, Coos, Malheur, and Lake.
