Fair to offer vaccination incentives

By Terry Murry on Thursday, August 5th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

UMATILLA COUNTY – Helix is the Umatilla County zip code with the highest percentage of COVID-19 vaccinations at 63 percent. U-Co Health said that Helix Community Church and Helix Parks and Recreation joined forces to propel the community to the top spot.

Both organizations will share at least $10,000 in incentive dollars for their work as part of the Community Rewards Program. It offers incentives to local nonprofits with a goal of getting the county’s various zip codes at or above a 60 percent vaccination rate. At last report, there were 15 local organizations signed up for the rewards program.

Meanwhile, the county is working to up the vaccination rate with an incentive program at the Umatilla County Fair. Board of Commissioners Chairman George Murdock said the county will have vaccination stations at this weekend’s parade, and on the grounds of the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center once the fair is underway.

“If you’re vaccinated you get your choice between two $10 meal vouchers or a free wrist band for use at the carnival,” he said. “Obviously, a lot of teenagers are going to see that as an exciting incentive to get a vaccination, and also if there are parents who are bringing their children, they could get a wrist band for their child.”

Murdock said getting vaccinated is important to everyone who lives in Umatilla County.

“We need to do that or the county’s going to be extremely vulnerable going forward,” he said. “We have to simply get our vaccination rate up and our cases down.”