Lane County Public Health (LCPH) has the unique task of helping to vaccinate those serving some of our most vulnerable community members in groups 2 and 3 under the Phase 1a guidance from Oregon Health Authority (OHA) while our hospital partners, EMS, and clinical partners focus on groups 1-4. As of Monday, January 11, planning was in place to hold mass vaccination clinics to accomplish this effort, but following OHA’s allocation to LCPH of only 100 doses, those plans were in danger of being canceled. Thanks to the generosity and partnership of McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center and Nova Health, that work will be accomplished.

“This is yet another example of how the partnerships between Lane County and our provider community benefit our entire community,” said Lane County Senior Public Health Officer, Dr. Patrick Luedtke.

To that end, MCKW was willing to contribute 975 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and Nova Health was able to contribute 500 doses of the Moderna vaccine. These vaccines will be distributed at two mass vaccination clinics administered by LCPH this weekend.

“Helping our community receive vaccinations is essential to the slowing of this virus, and McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center is thankful for the opportunity to do so,” said McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center CEO David Elgarico.

“It’s a privilege to share the COVID-19 vaccines with our community partners, its imperative that we all work together to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible” said Nova Health CEO Jim Ashby

Lane County is prioritizing organizations and individuals in groups 2-3 based on risk level with an emphasis on equity. Invitations will be issued directly to those able to be vaccinated via established communication channels. Additional clinics for groups 2-3 will be forthcoming.
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