COVID-19 vaccine may arrive in Oregon soon | Coronavirus

State health officials can distribute the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine as early as the end of this month if approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

However, these vaccines are likely to be reserved for medical institutions and other essential workers, Oregon Health Department To the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nationally, the state was required to submit a vaccination plan by Friday, CDC.. The state has about two weeks to establish a distribution system in time for the CDC’s November 1 deadline. Jonathan Modi, a spokesman for the Oregon Department of Health, said it was unclear when the vaccine would be approved.

Vaccine supply was initially restricted, state health officials said: “Individuals essential for a pandemic response, individuals who provide direct care and maintain social function, and are at greatest risk of developing serious illness. We should focus on high individuals. ” Email.

The top list of recipients of the vaccine is medical professionals, essential workers, care facilities, people with underlying health, people over the age of 65, ethnic minorities and races, tribal communities, prisoners, homeless people, Universities and colleges, people. According to the plan acquired by The Bulletin on Monday by submitting the Information Disclosure Act, they live in a group environment, people with disabilities, and people without insurance.

Details regarding distribution in Deschutes County were not available on Monday. The plan will be available after the Deschutes County Health Service meets with state health officials later this week, said health services spokeswoman Morgan Emerson.

St. Charles Health SystemA key player in Central Oregon’s health care is preparing to distribute the vaccine when it becomes available, said hospital doctor Dr. Jeff Absalon.

“We are ready to administer it to front-line clinical staff, and we expect them to be a high-priority group to receive it,” Absalon said. “We are also working with local public health partners to plan the widespread distribution and administration of vaccines.”

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of two vaccines under an emergency license, but it is unclear if both drugs or only one will be approved.

In the Oregon program on page 136, the state outlines the preparation of two major scenarios for vaccine release. One is that the state receives a minimum of 1,000 orders or is inoculated in large quantities.

Extended face cover rules

Until the vaccine was widely distributed, Oregon authorities expanded state face-covering guidance on Monday, depending on health conditions, private and public workplaces, classrooms, unless someone was alone in the office or private workspace. Officials, including offices, conference rooms, and workspaces.

The revised guidance requires face covers to be worn in outdoor and indoor markets, street fairs, private colleges, public and private universities. It is recommended to wear a face cover instead of a face shield, except in limited situations such as communication with the hearing impaired or hearing impaired or lip reading.

The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to cover your face, keep a physical distance of 6 feet from others, avoid large gatherings, frequent hand washing, and limit social gatherings.

When the vaccine becomes available, many of the state’s plans will follow the procedures implemented in 2009 during the H1N1 pandemic, according to the plan. In Deschutes County, health officials have coordinated with partners such as pharmacies, clinics and school nurses, Emerson said in an email.

“We look forward to coordinating with local healthcare system partners and leveraging all community resources to improve access to vaccines when they become available,” Emerson said. Stated. “There is not only refrigeration for vaccines, but also portable refrigeration for vaccines.”

The COVID-19 vaccine is not yet available, but county health officials rely on seasonal flu plans. According to Emerson, last year’s flu season was from October to May, when nearly 2,000 emergency rooms visited central Oregon due to seasonal flu.

Health officials are focusing on getting more people to agree to flu shots to prevent hospitals from overloading in the event of a surge in COVID-19 cases.

“We want to keep the community healthy and help prevent the flu by getting the flu shot,” she said. “It’s time to get the flu vaccine.”