The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has selected Jackson County as a site for a Pilot Community Vaccination Center (CVC) — the second in the Pacific Northwest and the first in Oregon. The CVC will begin operations on April 21, bringing an additional 1,000 vaccine doses per day to support Jackson, Klamath and Josephine counties, an area of the state that was hard hit during last year’s historic wildfire season. 

“We must reach Oregonians where they are, including those who may not have easy access to health care,” said Governor Brown. “FEMA’s Pilot Community Vaccination Center will bolster our efforts to reach rural and agricultural communities, unsheltered populations and those displaced by last year’s historic wildfires.”  

This joint effort from FEMA, OHA, Oregon Office of Emergency Management, Jackson County Health and Human Services and Jackson County Emergency Management includes creating a fixed site with drive-thru and walk-up options, as well as mobile vaccination delivery. The additional 1,000 doses per day will be provided directly by the federal government and will not be taken from Oregon’s or Jackson County’s regular allotments.  

The Jackson County Pilot CVC will be located at the Expo in Central Point, beginning April 21 for eight weeks. Registration is possible on site, but people are strongly encouraged to register for an appointment by scheduling online at jcorcovid19.org/VaccineAppointments or calling 2-1-1 for information in English or Spanish. Mobile vaccination delivery locations and hours will be available and updated on the Jackson County and OHA websites.  

This article first appeared in the April 12, 2021 issue of Oregon Coronavirus Update.