Umatilla County Expected to Get Vaccines; Vaccine Event on Jan. 22

Umatilla County will be receiving an allocation of approximately 1,000 Moderna COVID-19 vaccines designated for priority populations specified by Oregon Health Authority.

Umatilla County Health (UCo Health) will be offering drive-thru COVID-19 vaccinations for eligible individuals at the Pendleton Convention Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22.

As stipulated by Oregon Health Authority, this vaccine allocation is available to:

• Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers
• Traditional health workers currently providing in-person services
• Home health providers
• Long-term care facilities not covered by the Federal Pharmacy Partnership
• Other congregate care facilities outlined in Phase 1a

Umatilla County is working directly with long-term care facilities so that residents and staff have access to COVID-19 vaccination. Any questions regarding COVID-19 vaccination in a long-term facility should be directed to the facility administrator.

This event is only open to the above specified individuals. Per Oregon Health Authority, this vaccine allocation is not available to individuals in other groups of Phase 1a or Phase 1b, including educators or individuals over the age of 65.

Health officials said Umatilla County residents should anticipate an extended timeline for vaccination due to changes in Oregon’s COVID-19 vaccine prioritization and continued vaccine allocation delays. UCo Health is prepared to hold mass drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination events weekly, pending vaccine allocation. Public notification of COVID-19 vaccine events, including vaccine eligibility, will be provided following the weekly vaccine allocation notification.

UCo Health released the following statement:

“We understand and share community concern surrounding COVID-19 and vaccine availability. To continue to best serve our community, we request that residents refrain from calling our office with questions regarding vaccine eligibility. We are asking that our Umatilla County residents please visit our website, social media and Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 Vaccination webpage for information on COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and availability. Residents who prefer to receive this information by phone are asked to call 211.

Vaccination gives us hope that the pandemic will end, but in the meantime, we need to continue safety measures to keep the virus from spreading: wear a mask, physically distance from others, wash your hands, avoid gatherings and stay home when you are sick.”