Clatsop County to receive COVID-19 vaccines for seniors age 80 and older

The Clatsop County Vaccine Task Force learned Thursday that the State of Oregon will provide 200 COVID-19 vaccine doses for distribution next week to local residents age 80 and older.

Another 200 doses earmarked for remaining members of Phase 1a groups and 100 doses for teachers are also expected.

Under the State of Oregon’s vaccine roll-out plan, individuals age 80 and older are eligible for vaccination beginning Feb. 8.

Eligible local seniors who have filled out the county’s Vaccine Planning Survey will be contacted and given instructions on how to register for one of next week’s vaccination clinics. These vaccine events will be open only to those with appointments – individuals who come without a prior appointment will not be able to receive a shot.

Due to the limited vaccine supply only 200 individuals will be able to receive shots next week – additional vaccination clinics will be scheduled in coming weeks as the supply allows.

To enable the county to contact you about upcoming vaccination events, sign up with the Vaccine Planning Survey. You will be asked to enter your name, age, contact information and whether you are part of a first-priority vaccination group.

While the Oregon Health Authority has opened the statewide vaccination effort to seniors, the local vaccination program continues to identify and administer doses to individuals in Phase 1a groups (health workers, first responders, social service staff and clients) and to the first Phase 1b group (educators and childcare providers).

Clatsop County, Columbia Memorial Hospital and Providence Seaside Hospital formed the Vaccine Task Force to pool resources and coordinate local vaccination efforts.

As of Friday a total of 3,939 doses had been given out in Clatsop County, including 920 second doses.

Three dozen vaccination events have been held in the county, and since the beginning of the year organizers have achieved a quick turn-around with vaccine shipments from the state, according to task force leader Chris Laman of Columbia Memorial Hospital. Once vaccine shipments from the state are confirmed, those doses are earmarked for upcoming clinics in Astoria or Seaside. Almost all doses are “in arms” within one week of their delivery to the county, he said.

“We have not ended a week with any first doses still sitting in the refrigerator,” he said.

For questions about the local vaccination program, email covid19vaccine@clatsopeoc.com.