By Gordon McCraw, Tillamook County Emergency Manager & COVID Incident Commander
The Tillamook County Community Health Center is working with its vaccine partners which includes the Rinehart Clinic, Tillamook Adventist Hospital, Nehalem Bay Fire District to work through the State’s/OHA mandated sequencing groups in Phase 1a and Phase 1b which includes the older adults.
As more and more older adults become eligible in Oregon, this means that there is more demand for the vaccine than there is supply each week. With 26.4% of Tillamook County residents over the age of 65, we estimate it will take us several weeks to complete each age group seen here in Phase 1B.
We encourage all Tillamook County residents who are eligible to enroll online using the form in English or Spanish on our website: tillamookchc.org. Completed enrollments are automatically put on a list to be contacted for an appointment. Due to high call volumes, we are no longer able to make appointments from phone or email requests.
Appointments are made by our staff contacting those on the eligibility list using a computer program to randomize the list within eligible groups. Randomization of the list will provide a consistent, fair and equitable distribution process across the county. The number that we can schedule is subject to the amount of vaccine provided to us by the state of Oregon, currently we are able to schedule 240-260 eligible individuals each week.
Know that while it may take us some time, everyone who is listed and would like a vaccine will receive an opportunity to get it.
Help is available with the online enrollment form by calling our vaccine line: 503-842-3914. Staffed Monday- Friday 8am -5pm with bilingual (English and Spanish) staff.
