Commentary: Oakridge Gets It Done as Bustling COVID Clinic Vaccinates 160 in One Big Day

About 5 percent of the community received vaccinations for COVID-19 in one inspiring day at the Oakridge Fire Station, after the long-awaited doses arrived and were distributed. It was an emotional moment for many.

By GARY CARL/The Herald

As the COVID-19 vaccine became available in Oregon, Oakridge got in line and stepped up to make sure our mountain community’s citizens had their opportunity to become protected against this deadly virus.

This “opportunity” didn’t just land in our laps, but rather was the culmination of the careful coordination and diligent effort among various entities here in Oakridge. This is the story of that coordinated effort.

But first, a disclaimer: I’m in the age group of those eligible to receive the vaccine. So, on Saturday, Feb. 20, my partner Lynda Kamerrer drove me to the Oakridge Fire Station where I received my first vaccination. In Part II of this report, after I’ve had my second vaccination in late March, I’ll describe my personal experience with both doses.

Just before Christmas, Bryan Cutchen, the Oakridge city administrator, and Kathy Holston, the Oakridge mayor, discussed the city’s plan for administering the forthcoming COVID-19 vaccine in Oakridge and the surrounding area. They agreed that there was going to be a need for one voice with respect to receiving and dispensing the vaccine.

A group of involved entities began meeting every three weeks to formulate a plan: the Orchid Health clinic, the Oakridge Pharmacy, the Oakridge School District and the City of Oakridge. Their goal: to develop a plan that would be implemented as soon as vaccine became available.

Ancillary but integral were the Oakridge fire and police departments. It would truly require “all hands on deck“ to put forth the coordinated effort that the mayor anticipated.

Dr. Joe Volpi and Clinic Manager Sarah Scott from Orchid Health were the voices for rural communities. They guided the city on how to comply with Lane County requirements and how the city could go forward on its own. Obtaining the vaccine was merely the first step of the process, and Orchid Health handled that part of the plan.

Identifying and notifying those who met the guideline requirements required coordination amongst Orchid Health, Oakridge Pharmacy, the School District and the city (employees such as first responders needed to be included). After lists were compiled, Orchid Health collated the results and determined there were 150 to 160 eligible recipients in the first batch of recipients.

Then the process of contacting citizens began. The city included relevant information regarding the eligibility requirements with the water bill and was poised to call and begin scheduling citizens to attend the clinic. Volpi wanted to be certain the vaccine was in hand here in Oakridge before the scheduling actually began.

Two different vaccines are generally available at this time – Pfizer’s and Moderna’s. Oakridge received the latter for Saturday’s big day.

The Moderna vaccine could be held at higher refrigeration temperatures than what was required by the Pfizer vaccine. Still, the vaccines needed to be stored under refrigeration and both the Oakridge Pharmacy and the Orchid Health each had adequate facilities to handle this aspect of the distribution chain.

After the vaccine was received, the date and location were announced. Getting a large number of people screened and physically processed was a logistical challenge for all involved.

According to the mayor, things went exceptionally well, exceeding expectations. It was efficiently executed. In fact, the patient flow went faster and smoother than had been anticipated. This allowed for scheduled time slots to be moved up.

Still, Holston says, there are some issues to be addressed. For example, how can we reach our homeless population? And how should we deal with housebound folks unable to attend a clinic at the Fire station?

In the weeks ahead, there will be many more people coming within the eligibility parameters. How often can these clinics be held?

For now, in the face of a terrible pandemic, our city has responded with astonishing efficiency. Whether it’s a record-shattering snowstorm or viral pandemic, Oakridge rises to the moment and gets it done. Thank you to all of the folks who stepped up and are making this happen.

Gary Carl is a retired attorney living in Oakridge with his partner, Lynda Kamerrer and two cats, Lucy and Blondie.