Protection for front line workers
By Paul Hall on Friday, January 15th, 2021 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics (GRH) has vaccinated a total of 380 employees and Union County first responders with an initial dose of the Moderna vaccine. This protection for front line hospital and emergency services workers against COVID-19 is outlined under the Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) tiered plan to vaccinate Oregonians.
Along with our local community partners and others within our region, GRH Executive Director of Patient Care Services Laurie Marcum and members of our Vaccine Task Force have been participating in discussions with the OHA on their plan. GRH formed a diverse, interdepartmental group to comprise the task force in December when the OHA discussions began on vaccine allocation under their tiered plan. The OHA vaccination plan has changed and evolved over the past several weeks, and GRH has adapted to it as quickly as possible.
Currently, GRH is collaborating with the Center for Human Development on how best to manage the allocations received thus far in support of the 1a tier vaccination distribution plan. GRH has not received any of the Pfizer vaccine, but understand we will be receiving that vaccine, as well.
“At this point, we can say that in addition to receiving more of the Moderna vaccine we are working through the logistics to receive the Pfizer vaccine, which requires storage at -80C, as well as the necessary ultra-cold storage it will require,” said Marcum.
Hospitals across Oregon have been asked to participate in a collaborative effort with the OHA in support of their vaccination distribution plan. GRH is ready to assist and support our regional partners in cooperation with the OHA vaccination plan for Oregon’s Region 9, which includes Baker, Grant, Morrow, Umatilla, Union and Wallowa counties.
With the recent announcement that additional tier groups like Oregonians age 65 and older and teachers will be eligible for the vaccine beginning January 23rd, Marcum said vaccination efforts are ramping up in Union County.
“We are all working together to ensure everyone in our communities who wants a vaccine will be able to get one within their tier group. We are here to support the efforts of our local health department to do so,” add Marcum.
OHA has indicated that their allocation methodology for vaccines at the local level will be dependent on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), as well as specific vaccine recommendations and any applicable safety limitations.
