Avi Singh draws up a dose of the Pfizer vaccine during a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on Thursday, Jan. 28. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Pharmacies in the Salem area will have more Covid vaccine appointments available starting Thursday, March 5, following federal and state approval of a third shot made by Johnson & Johnson.
Safeway and Albertsons pharmacies in Oregon and Washington have started to receive the J&J shots, spokeswoman Jill McGinnis said in a statement, bolstering supplies.
She said at least 200 appointments per pharmacy would be available online starting March 4 at 5 p.m., and patients will be able to select the type of vaccine they prefer to receive when scheduling, though choice will depends on supplies available at each location. J&J shots will make up about half the available doses at most pharmacies.
Unlike the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines currently approved for emergency use, the J&J vaccine requires only one shot to be effective, simplifying the logistics of inoculating people against Covid. It can also be stored in a standard refrigerator rather than the ultra-cold storage required for other shots.
There are four Safeways in Salem and one in Keizer. Vaccination appointments can be scheduled online once they are available.
The Oregon Health Authority reported Wednesday that health care providers across the state have administered over 1 million doses of Covid vaccine to a total of 636,000 Oregonians. That includes 51,494 people in Marion County and 15,779 in Polk County.
-Rachel Alexander
