On Wednesday, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced that 20 Oregon counties – including Umatilla and Morrow – have submitted attestation letters, signaling their intention to immediately offer COVID-19 vaccinations to expanded eligibility groups.
The other 18 counties are Benton, Coos, Crook, Deschutes, Douglas, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Malheur, Marion, Sherman, Union and Wheeler.
By attesting, these counties can now begin vaccinating all individuals listed in Phase 1B, Group 7, ahead of the previously designated statewide start date of April 5.
“Moving up vaccination in these counties will enable us to vaccinate our frontline workers more quickly while enabling counties with adequate supply to fully utilize their allotment of COVID-19 vaccine,” said OHA Director Patrick Allen.
Group 7 is composed of:
- Frontline workers as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- People living in multi-generational households.
- People aged 16-44 with one or more health conditions with increased risk.
As of Monday, people in Phase 1B, Group 6 became eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine.
