Oregon reaches 70% statewide vaccination goal

On July 2, OHA announced that Oregon had officially reached the 70% statewide vaccination goal. “The 70% adult vaccination goal means we have a better chance to sustain a safe reopening,” said OHA Director Patrick Allen. “The safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines continue to drive down new cases, hospitalizations and deaths in our state. Thank […]

OHA launches new webpage in American Sign Language

Exciting news! Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has launched an “ASL for D/HOH & DB” Resource Page here.   This page currently provides the latest COVID-19 vaccine news and FAQs in American Sign Language (ASL). We will be adding more content to the page soon, including written materials.   We are learning what this community needs in video form and appreciate your comments and feedback. If you have […]

People in Oregon urged to get vaccinated as 15 counties qualify for Extreme Risk

Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Oregon, Governor Kate Brown announced updates to the County Risk levels under the state’s public health framework. With hospitalizations rising above 300 people statewide, threatening to overwhelm doctors and nurses, 15 counties will move to the Extreme Risk, effective Friday, April 30 through Thursday, May 6. In […]

COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases in Oregon

On April 8, OHA announced that it had identified 168 COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases in Oregon through April 2, including three deaths. Vaccine breakthrough cases are defined as instances in which an individual received a positive COVID-19 test result at least 14 days after the final dose of their respective COVID-19 vaccine. OHA public health […]

Welcome news on vaccine eligibility: What you need to know

Today, we are excited to announce changes to Oregon’s vaccine eligibility schedule based on new information about increased allocation from the federal government. As of now, about 58 percent of Oregonians age 65 and older have been vaccinated. We are on a trajectory to vaccinate more than seven out of 10 by March 29, which […]

Oregon to receive Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine has received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the federal government, making it the third COVID-19 vaccine available for use in the United States.  The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the first single-dose vaccine against COVID-19. It can be stored in a refrigerator for months, making it easier to distribute […]

New eligibility groups and FEMA support for vaccination announced

Governor Kate Brown was joined by OHA Director Patrick Allen and Public Health Director Rachael Banks in a Feb. 26 press conference on COVID-19 vaccination. The Governor announced plans to vaccinate new eligibility groups including frontline workers and people with underlying health conditions, in the coming weeks. “By summer, provided supplies from the federal government […]

Updates on COVID-19 and pharmacy program partnership

Oregon Health Authority and its partners provided an update on COVID-19 vaccinations and more. The recording (including ASL interpretation) is available here, and the slides from today’s briefing are here. Among the topics discussed was a new partnership. The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program is a collaboration between the federal government, states and territories, and 21 […]

Open Letter to Oregon: OHA Director Patrick Allen thanks Oregonians

As of yesterday, it’s been one year since the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in Oregon. Twelve grim months later, nothing is the same. The pandemic has claimed more than half a million lives in the United States. More than 2,200 Oregonians have died with the coronavirus. All of us have felt their loss. All […]

From the archive: Oregon Veterans’ Homes residents and staff receive first doses of COVID-19 vaccine

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) announced on Dec. 28, 2020 that residents and staff at its Oregon Veterans’ Homes in Lebanon and The Dalles received their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from Consonus Healthcare over the weekend. Vaccinations were made available to all staff and residents. The vaccine has been proclaimed […]