As we ease into a holiday weekend, many people in Oregon who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will continue to wear a mask in public places. For those fully vaccinated people who want to take their mask off where allowed with proof of vaccination, please remember:
Your original COVID-19 vaccination card (photo or photo-copy okay) is the best proof of vaccination.
If you don’t have that card, replacement cards may not be available but there are other forms of acceptable alternative COVID-19 vaccination proof. Proof of vaccination must have your name, date of birth, and date and type of COVID-19 vaccine.
You may be able to print a record of your vaccinations from your personal electronic healthcare record on your provider’s website such as My Chart (you may need to black out other information on the record that you don’t want to share);
Request a copy of your immunization record from Oregon’s ALERT IIS registry (Call 211 for help; be prepared to wait at last five days before receiving record); or
Ask your health care provider to print out your immunization record and mail it to you or ask to pick it up if that is quicker.
If you don’t have proof of vaccination, you can still enter an establishment but you must wear a mask and physically distance. Have a safe weekend!
We need 10,005 – 16 and over individuals to get their first dose to get to 65% and permanently move back to the Low Risk level!
ALL PERSONS AGE 12+ ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A COVID-19 VACCINE.
Pfizer is approved for ages 12 and over Moderna is approved for ages 18 and over Johnson & Johnson is approved for ages 18 and over.
Need a copy of your Vaccine Record?
Your immunization was recorded in the state ALERT immunization record system. If you need a copy of your vaccine information the quickest and easiest way is to complete the form below and email to alertiis@state.or.us or print and mail to:
ALERT IIS 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 370 Portland, Oregon 97232
You can also request a copy of records from your pharmacy or primary care provider who can access the ALERT system records.
More information on ALERT immunization records can be found here.
Every person who chooses to get vaccinated brings us all a step closer to moving past the COVID-19 pandemic. As a trusted messenger to your family and friends, you can play a role in their decision to vaccinate. Here are some tips on having conversations about the COVID-19 vaccine.
1. LISTEN TO THEIR QUESTIONS WITH EMPATHY
COVID-19 vaccines are new, and it’s normal for people to have questions about them. The sheer amount of information—and misinformation—about COVID-19 vaccines can be overwhelming to anyone. You can help by listening without judgment and identifying the root of their concerns. Acknowledge their emotions so they know they have been heard.
2. ASK OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS TO EXPLORE THEIR CONCERNS
Open-ended questions are meant to get more than a yes-or-no answer. Asking open-ended questions can help you understand what your friend or family member is worried about, where they learned any troubling information, and what they have done to get answers to their questions. For example, you can ask, “How did watching that news report make you feel? What did you do next?”
Do not be judgmental and respectfully ask questions that help you understand their concerns. For example, avoid things like, “That’s a silly concern,” or “Why would you be worried about that?”
3. ASK PERMISSION TO SHARE INFORMATION
Once you understand your friend or family member’s question or concern, ask if you can provide some information, tell them where you get information you trust and be careful not to push information on them. You can find answers to common questions from reputable sources, including the CDC, the FDA, Oregon Health Authority, Lane County Public Health, or other trusted sources such as their doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Lane County is hosting Doctor’s office hours on Facebook where they can attend virtually and ask questions of local providers.
Sometimes, sharing quick, accurate answers to common concerns your family or friends might have can go a long way toward moving someone from worry to confidence. If you don’t know the answer to their questions, consider offering to help look for information.
4. HELP THEM FIND THEIR OWN REASON TO GET VACCINATED
Everyone who chooses to get vaccinated does it for a reason—to protect their family, to protect their children, to be less anxious, to visit their parents, or to get back to activities like seeing friends, resuming work, or returning to school. After addressing concerns with empathy, respect and facts, you can steer the conversation from “why not” to the important reasons that matter to them—their “why.” You may choose to share your reasons for getting vaccinated or discuss common goals you may have, like visiting with each other safely. The reasons that someone may choose to get vaccinated will always be those that are most compelling to them personally.
5. HELP MAKE THEIR VACCINATION HAPPEN
Once someone decides on their “why,” help them make a commitment to get vaccinated. Help make the path to vaccination shorter, easier, and less stressful for them. Offer to help your family member or friend make a vaccination appointment at a location nearby and, if needed, go with them to the appointment. Offer to help with transportation or to babysit if they need childcare. Upcoming walk-in clinics and appointment scheduling are available here.
Can’t find your vaccination card? Here are some ways you can replace it .
When you get vaccinated you will receive a vaccine card that shows the date, your name and birthday. Keep this card in a safe place. Take a picture or make a copy of your card as soon as you get it.
If you have lost your vaccination card, you can replace the card:
Oregon reached another milestone in the efforts to vaccinate Oregonians — more than 2 million people have received at least one dose of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.
According to the latest data, 2,006,179 people in Oregon have received at least one shot. Overall, 1,509,537 Oregonians have completed their series.
“Based on our current trends, Oregon is on track to meet our goal of vaccinating 70% of adults by mid- to late-June,” said Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Director Patrick Allen. “Thanks to all of our partners for helping us stay ahead of a virus that is circulating in our communities.”
If you’re looking for a vaccine, the Get Vaccinated Oregon (GVO) tool has been updated to improve accessibility. Read more about it on the OHA blog.
Governor Brown, OHA leadership discuss vaccination goals and reopening
Today, Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Director Patrick Allen talked about statewide vaccination targets, the County Risk Level framework and reopening the state’s economy. Here’s a summary of upcoming changes:
County Risk Level framework soon coming to an end
The County Risk Level framework will continue until 70% of people in Oregon ages 16 and older receive a first dose of a vaccine, at which point most of the restrictions laid out in the framework will be lifted.
Workshops will cover topics such as EV charging, batteries, range, cost, purchase incentives, and benefits of ownership. Attendees at these two workshops are eligible for discounts of $200 to $1,000 on purchases of new EVs at four participating local auto dealerships.
EVEVA is producing the workshops in partnership with the City of Eugene, the U of O Office of Sustainability, EWEB, and most of the other local electric utilities.
When wildfires burned through Oregon last fall, many people didn’t receive a local emergency alert or evacuation message, which left them scrambling to evacuate safely. State officials have since approved a new emergency alert system meant to fix that.
The system, called OR-Alert, would operate statewide, rather than in individual counties, ideally improving communication in the event of a disaster.
People have to opt-in to most local emergency alert systems currently. But this one would allow notifications to be sent out to devices automatically, including social media, text message and landline calls.
The system is expected to be available to all counties in the state and should be up and running by this summer.
Lane County ALERT ME! Sign up to receive emergency alerts and severe weather warnings that could directly impact you and your family.
The Lane County Community Wildfire Protection Plan is a comprehensive wildfire education and mitigation plan for the whole of Lane County. The 165 page plan was originally developed in 2005 but has been updated, most recently in 2019-2020. It includes extensive maps and analysis showing wildfire risk by region within the county and outlines 24 action items to help mitigate wildfire risk. It was developed in coordination with Oregon Department of Forestry, Lane County Emergency Management, Lane County Land Management Division, Lane County Fire Defense Board, Oregon State University Extension Service, Oregon State Fire Marshal, U.S. department of the Interior, and U.S. Forest Service. The information on wildfire risk and mitigation is for all of Lane County, urban as well as rural, but at present mitigation efforts are concentrated in the urban wildland interface and rural forested areas.
An Ember Awareness Checklist Poster: The poster informs landowners of where embers often pose serious risk during wildfire events. The checklist provides actions homeowners can take to reduce this risk. To view and download a high resolution PDF version visit here.
Survivable Space Poster: This poster was made for Lane County and details survivable space guidance on how to harden your home prior to wildfire season as well as evacuation levels used to notify landowners of impending incidents. This poster is on page 140 of the LCCWPP plan.
The LCCWPP is one more tool residents should be aware of as we move into wildfire season. It is extensive and well researched. The detailed table of contents makes finding information easy.
SHiNA 