Salem, Oregon – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is significantly expanding its efforts to combat respiratory illnesses in long-term care facilities by offering subsidized COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinics to residents and staff across the state. Under the direction of the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities (APD), this program seeks to make vaccinations easily available, especially to those living in licensed care facilities who might not otherwise have simple access to these preventive measures.
The expansion, effective from December 12, 2024, builds on an earlier phase that focused primarily on rural and less densely populated areas, where residents faced greater challenges in accessing healthcare services. The recent influx of funding from the Oregon general fund has enabled this broadened outreach, addressing a noted decline in vaccination rates among these vulnerable populations.
“We want to ensure that those at high risk of complications from COVID-19 and the flu, as well as the individuals who serve them, have easy access to vaccines. Preventing illness is a cornerstone of safety and well-being and is especially important as people connect with family and friends indoors,” said APD Director Nakeshia Knight-Coyle, Ph.D. “Our goal is to reduce barriers that individuals who live or work in long-term care may face in getting vaccinated.”
Known to be fast spread in communal living environments, COVID-19 and the flu seriously endanger residents and could cause major staffing shortages. The program aims to protect resident physical health as well as operational stability of facilities by removing the logistical obstacles to vaccination, such as transportation or scheduling challenges.
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APD has effectively coordinated seven vaccine sites since its founding; today, 24 are under development, indicating a significant response from local facilities. The initiative is meant to help community pharmacies as well, allowing pharmacists to do onsite clinics in facilities catering to elderly persons and those with disabilities.
“We understand that finding vaccines can be especially challenging in rural and frontier communities,” said Ryan Frick, ODHS APD epidemiologist. “This program removes the need for residents and staff to schedule rides or appointments by bringing the vaccines directly to those who need them, which is especially helpful for individuals with mobility challenges.”
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Facility managers interested in the program and want to set up a vaccination clinic can get in touch directly to APD at [email protected]. As long as funding is available, the program will keep running to make sure those with the greatest risk get the protection they need against these potentially fatal respiratory diseases.
