290 receive vaccinations at TD Readiness Center on Jan. 23

Mid-Columbia Medical Center Dr. Judy Richardson prepares Christina Sexton for a COVID-19 vaccination at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 23

The North Central Public Health District organized and executed a large vaccine event at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center today, Saturday, Jan. 23. Organizers scheduled 145 people in the morning and 145 people in the afternoon to receive the vaccination.

“I feel super safe here,” said NCPHD Health Officer Dr. Miriam McDonell, noting the ample space in the building allowed for nurses and patients to spread out.

In addition to MCMC staff, the event also relied heavily on volunteers with the Wasco County Medical Reserve Corps, said NCPHD’s Tanya Wray.

“People are leaving with a real sense of relief,” the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator said.

The group receiving vaccinations on Saturday in The Dalles were some of the most vulnerable, fitting in the 1a group. It includes age-eligible individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers.

Large events are being held around the state today as organizers must get the vaccine distributed before its shelf life expires.

For instance, Jackson County Health and Human Services in Southern Oregon posted a call-out on Facebook to anyone fitting the 1a group to simply show up at the Jackson County Expo in Central point before 4:30 p.m. today to receive the vaccination. They were offering to do the paperwork with those folks on site.

In Portland, organizers have been working to vaccinate some 2,000 people per day since Wednesday.