These 13 Oregon counties may begin expanding vaccine access access ahead of schedule

The Oregon Health Authority announced Monday that 13 counties could begin giving doses to agricultural workers, the homeless and other vulnerable people, advancing its plan to introduce more vaccine doses across the state.

The move follows Reg Reagan’s announcement last week that he would expedite the vaccination timeline to meet the Biden administration’s goal of all adults being eligible for the vaccine by May 1.

As part of the move, state health officials said counties that cater to eligible groups such as seniors could apply to the state to move into groups that are not yet eligible.

Thirteen Oregon counties have so far applied and received approvals: Baker, Benton, Deschauts, Grant, Jefferson, Lake, Lincoln, Malhaur, Marion, Moro, Poke, Umatila and Union.

Those counties will now be able to enter Phase 1B, Group 6 vaccination priorities, which include adults aged 45 to 64 who have health status, migrants and seasonal farm laborers, seafood and agricultural workers, food processors, homeless people, displaced people. Through wildfires, wildland firefighters, pregnant women over the age of 16, and low-income people, seniors and independent living facilities

The state plans to update its Get Vaccine Oregon online tool to reflect the changes.

Other reg Reagan County people who are within Phase 1B, Group 6, will most likely have to wait until March 29, when that group is eligible for a statewide vaccine.

To date, the Reg Reagan Health Authority reports that it has administered only 1.5 million doses of the vaccine nationwide.