FEMA, STATE AND COUNTY ACCELERATE COVID-19 VACCINATIONS IN JACKSON COUNTY AT PILOT COMMUNITY VACCINATION CENTER [https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210412/fema-state-and-county-accelerate-covid-19-vaccinations-jackson-county-pilot] Release Date: April 12, 2021 BOTHELL, WASH. – A Pilot Community Vaccination Center (CVC) will open in Jackson County, Oregon, on April 21 to accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations to Oregon’s historically underserved communities at high risk of infection. This joint effort from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Jackson County Health and Human Services, and Jackson County Emergency Management includes a fixed site with drive-thru and walk-up options as well as mobile vaccination delivery. Through this partnership, vaccination capacity at this location will expand by 1,000 vaccine doses per day. The additional vaccine doses will be provided directly by the federal government and will not be taken from the state or county’s regular allotments. The Jackson County Pilot CVC expands upon current county-wide efforts to include vaccination services to rural and agricultural communities, unsheltered populations, and individuals displaced by wildfires. “We are committed to making sure everyone who wants a vaccine can get one. The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially hard for communities in and around Jackson County who also suffered from historic wildfires,” said FEMA Region 10 Acting Administrator Vincent J. Maykovich. “We are excited to partner to provide equitable access to the vaccine.” “I am so pleased Jackson County was chosen for a FEMA community vaccination center. The site will bolster our current efforts to deliver vaccines quickly and equitably, and to meet communities where they are,” said Governor Kate Brown. “As the state recovers from last year’s historic wildfires and continues to manage through the pandemic, my goal is to elevate the needs of the communities hardest hit, especially those that have been historically underserved, and to rebuild those communities stronger and more resilient. The CVC in Jackson County will help us achieve that goal.” “This convenient community vaccination center will give more people in southern Oregon a chance to get a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect your loved ones and yourself, so we can all get back to seeing the people we miss, doing the things we love and living free from restrictions the pandemic has forced on us. We welcome the additional vaccines the federal government is providing to protect people in southern Oregon communities and FEMA’s partnership in organizing this pilot vaccination clinic,” said Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen. “Receiving the Pilot Community Vaccination Center and this level of support from our federal and state partners is a welcome relief and help to our community,” said John Vial, Director, Jackson County Emergency Operations Center. “The impact of dealing with this pandemic while simultaneously responding to our county’s largest wildfire disaster has taken a toll on our community and its resources. We are tired and grateful for the help.” The Jackson County Pilot CVC will be located at the Expo, 1 Penninger Rd, Central Point. Registration is possible on site. However, individuals are strongly encouraged to register for an appointment by scheduling online at jcorcovid19.org/VaccineAppointments [http://jcorcovid19.org/VaccineAppointments] or call 2-1-1 for information in English or Spanish. Additional details on opening date and registration process are forthcoming, as FEMA works with the OHA and OEM, Jackson County Health and Human Services and Jackson County Emergency Management in support of expanding the county’s vaccination efforts. In alignment with President Biden’s plan to respond to COVID-19 [https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/National-Strategy-for-the-COVID-19-Response-and-Pandemic-Preparedness.pdf], FEMA continues to work with our state, local, and tribal partners to expedite vaccinations across Region 10 in an efficient, effective, and equitable manner. When considering options, the best vaccine is the one that is available to you.