OHA has adjusted how it reports race and ethnicity data on its COVID-19 dashboards for persons entered in the state’s immunization registry, also known as ALERT Immunization Information System (ALERT IIS). The change became effective in late February.

The system previously counted race and ethnicity data for persons who have received a COVID-19 vaccine as non-exclusive categories, where an individual contributed to the counts of all races that were indicated in their ALERT IIS record.  

Starting Feb. 25, race and ethnicity data began to be counted in only one racial or ethnic group. This change followed recommendations provided by the Oregon Office of Equity and Inclusion. The race and ethnic categories include: American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, White, other race and unknown. The category of Hispanic is treated as a racial group. 

Individuals may still have multiple indications for race on their ALERT IIS record. 

Age category listings for persons also changed on Feb. 25 to reflect the state state’s phased approach in opening up vaccine eligibility to older Oregonians. The dashboards now show older Oregonians in five-year grouping, for ages between 60 and 80 years old. 

Starting today, data on Oregonians who have been vaccinated will include race and ethnicity information at the county level on the COVID-19 dashboards. 

This article first appeared in the March 5, 2021 issue of Oregon Coronavirus Update.