Salem Health began a Covid vaccine clinic at the state fairgrounds on Jan. 7 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)
Oregon’s vaccine advisory committee will meet Thursday morning from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to discuss how the state should prioritize scarce Covid vaccine supplies.
The committee, which first met in early January, is tasked with ensuring the state’s vaccine distribution is equitable and reaches communities hit hardest by Covid. But to date most decisions about vaccination order have been made directly by Gov. Kate Brown – including the highly criticized decision to prioritize K-12 teachers ahead of seniors in an effort to reopen schools.
The committee has received dozens of public comments, with many urging them to prioritize older Oregonians and people with chronic health conditions instead of educators.
Oregon began vaccinating teachers and child care workers this week and expects to begin people over 80 on Feb. 8, though some counties may start earlier.
The advisory committee meeting will be livestreamed in English and Spanish and is open to the public. More details and a link are available on the agenda.
-Rachel Alexander
