PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Oregon will receive fewer doses of the COVID-19 vaccine than expected next week, state health officials said.
KOIN reports that officials expected to receive 40,950 doses of the Pfizer vaccine next week from the federal government, but will now only receive 25,350 doses. Federal officials have told other states to expect fewer doses than expected in next week’s shipments as well.
Officials said they expect to have 35,100 Pfizer doses this week.
Oregon hospitals administered the first coronavirus vaccines in the state Wednesday to nurses, respiratory therapists, housekeeping workers and other health care employees in high-risk jobs, marking the beginning of a broad vaccination campaign.
Health officials say they plan to vaccinate 100,000 people statewide by the end of the year.
If and when the Moderna vaccine receives the FDA emergency use authorization, Oregon expects to receive 71,900 doses the week of Dec. 20 and 31,700 doses the week of Dec. 27.
“These are the darkest days of this pandemic. And yet, hope has arrived. Beginning this week, each time another Oregonian is vaccinated against COVID-19, we are one step closer to the day when we can return to normal life,” Gov. Kate Brown said.
On Thursday the governor extended Oregon’s declaration of a state of emergency until March 3, 2021, as COVID-19 cases in the state continue to rise.
“As we near 100,000 cases of COVID-19 in Oregon, and with hospitals and health care workers stretched to their limits, there is no doubt that COVID-19 continues to pose a public health threat,” Brown said.
The Oregon Health Authority reported 1,339 new COVI-19 cases Thursday, increasing the state’s total since the start of the pandemic to 98,936. The state’s death toll is 1,283.
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