County could vaccinate all who want it in two months
By Terry Murry on Friday, January 15th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – Umatilla County is running well ahead of the state average for COVID-19 vaccination rates. Board of Commissioners Chairman George Murdock said the county can continue to outpace the average, but only if the state sends them enough vaccine.
“Health Director Joseph Fiumara’s office can administer 2,000 doses a week, and we think there is another 1,000 doses that can be given elsewhere in the county,” Murdock said.
The county has put health professionals on the front line in the vaccination effort, and are bringing in staff from other departments to aid in planning vaccination clinics. However, Murdock said it doesn’t matter if you can give out 3,000 inoculations in a week if the state only sends you a fraction of that.
“We’re hearing that in the entire state of Oregon it could be 2022 before everybody gets vaccinated,” Murdock said. “If we can get vaccine, then we estimate that we could probably provide anybody who wants a shot with one by early March.”
Murdock is the board of commissioners’ liaison with the health department.
