As more Oregonians become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, it is important to provide clear guidance on how to get an appointment.
With that in mind (and with help from our partners at Deschutes County), we've compiled some FAQs on getting the COVID-19 vaccine in Central Oregon. Please feel free to share this with your friends, family and social media circles to help us spread accurate information and get shots in arms as quickly as possible.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Through April 18, everyone in Phases 1A and 1B of the state's vaccine sequencing plan is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This includes frontline workers as defined by the CDC and their family members who live with them, people living in a multigenerational household and everyone age 16 or older who has one or more underlying health conditions with increased risk. Many more details are available here.
Effective April 19, all Oregonians age 16 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. This is two weeks ahead of the state's original schedule because, as Gov. Brown has said: "We are locked in a race between vaccine distribution and the spread of variants."
WHAT SHOULD I DO RIGHT NOW?
If you want the vaccine, go to centraloregoncovidvaccine.com today and pre-register, whether you are currently eligible or not. Pre-registering saves your spot in line for the vaccine and ensures you'll receive it as soon as there is a shot for you. When you're eligible and we have a dose for you, we'll send you a unique link to schedule your appointment. It's that simple.
NOTE: If you previously filled out this form, you still need to pre-register at centraloregoncovidvaccine.com. If you filled out a form but you’re not certain which one it was, go ahead and pre-register at centraloregoncovidvaccine.com to be safe.
WHAT IF I CAN’T (OR DON’T WANT TO) PRE-REGISTER ONLINE?
The easiest and fastest way to pre-register is online. If you need to pre-register by phone, call 541-699-5109. That number is staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends. Please be prepared to wait on hold or call back as this line is experiencing high call volumes. If you pre-register by phone, you’ll receive a call to schedule your appointment when a vaccine is available.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER I PRE-REGISTER?
First, you’ll receive a confirmation message that looks like this. (You will NOT receive a confirmation email.) Your name will be added to a database of people who have pre-registered through the site. As we receive doses of vaccine from the state of Oregon, we will email personalized, one-time scheduling links to as many people as we have doses available. This email will come from the address DONOTREPLY@SCMC.ORG. Keep an eye on your "spam" or "junk" folders in case it shows up there.
If you receive a scheduling link, use it within 48 hours to schedule your appointment.
I PRE-REGISTERED. WHY HAVEN’T I RECEIVED A SCHEDULING LINK?
Many people are eager to get vaccinated, and we are excited to offer the vaccine as quickly as possible. There are thousands of people in the pre-registration database waiting for their appointments. The system is set up to contact people based on eligibility group in the order they signed up. That means someone who is younger than you - but is in your eligibility group - may receive their appointment link before you do. This is normal. Again, there are many people in line waiting for their shot, and we will get to every single one as we have the doses. Your patience and understanding are very much appreciated.
WHERE DO I GET VACCINATED?
Deschutes County and St. Charles Health System are operating a large-scale vaccination clinic for all Central Oregon residents at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, located at 3800 SW Airport Way in Redmond. If you schedule an appointment through your personalized link that was emailed to you, that’s where you should go to get your vaccine. NOTE: We have made every effort to make the clinic as accessible as possible, including golf carts that can shuttle individuals with limited mobility from their car to the front door. There are also language translation services onsite for non-English speakers.
Vaccines are also available through many local pharmacies. Appointments may be found through vaccinefinder.org.
IF I GET THE MODERNA OR PFIZER VACCINE, HOW DO I SCHEDULE MY SECOND SHOT?
The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require two shots a few weeks apart. If you receive one of these vaccines for your first shot at our large-scale vaccination clinic at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, you will get an appointment for your second shot before you leave the clinic. You don’t have to do anything else. Your second shot is secured and scheduled.
NOTE: At the direction of the federal government, the fairgrounds vaccine clinic is not currently administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Only Moderna and Pfizer are available at this time.
