Salem Hospital on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A workgroup of scientists from Oregon and other western states is recommending seniors and others at high risk for Covid infection and illness get a booster dose of Pfizer vaccine.
The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup issued its recommendation Friday following federal approvals earlier this week. Booster doses are recommended at least six months after the second dose and only for people who received a Pfizer vaccine.
People who should get a booster dose include:
-People 65 and older
-People living in long-term care facilities
-People age 50-64 with underlying medical conditions
The group said younger people with underlying medical conditions and people at higher risk for Covid exposure due to work or living in institutions may choose to get a booster dose of Pfizer vaccine.
Salem Reporter is keeping you informed of the latest Covid numbers. Here’s our report for Friday, Sept. 24.
New Covid cases reported in Marion County: 193
New Covid cases reported in Polk County: 33
Total Salem Hospital patients with Covid: 91 as of Friday morning, a decrease of nine from Thursday. Of those, 27 are in the intensive care unit and 12 are on ventilators.
Seventy-four of those in the hospital are not vaccinated against Covid.
Total Salem Hospital bed occupancy: 470 of 494 licensed beds in use
Total people hospitalized with Covid in Region 2 (Marion, Polk, Yamhill, Linn, Benton, Lincoln counties): 142, a decrease of 15 from Thursday. Of those, 42 are in the intensive care unit and 19 are on ventilators.
Total Region 2 hospital bed occupancy: 87 of 96 staffed ICU beds and 613 of 675 non-ICU beds in use.
New Covid deaths reported: 21 in Oregon, none were Marion or Polk County residents.
New Covid vaccines in Oregon: 3,810 new Covid vaccine doses administered on Sept. 23, including 1,538 first doses.
Source: Oregon Health Authority, Salem Health
-Ardeshir Tabrizian and Rachel Alexander
