According to the Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 Vaccination Metrics Dashboard, as of May 24, 50.9 percent of Oregonians have received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of those, 10.1 percent are in progress for full vaccination, and 40.8 percent have completed their vaccination series (either one dose for the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, or two doses for the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines).

Announced in early May, the state will lift most restrictions statewide when 70 percent of Oregonians 16 and older receive their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, the state announced that beginning May 21, counties that reached a vaccination rate of 65 percent of county residents 16 and older with at least one dose of vaccine and submitted plans to close vaccine equity gaps would eligible to move to the lower risk category.

To date, five Oregon counties have reached the 65 percent vaccination target:

  • Benton County
  • Deschutes County
  • Hood River County
  • Lincoln County
  • Washington County

AOC Support for Counties

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) has been dedicated to providing critical member services to help Oregon’s 36 counties navigate the complexities involved with health, testing, regulatory changes, economic impact, resource management, advocacy, vaccines, and other critical information. Below are key areas AOC has been focused on.

Advocacy

During the month of May, AOC staff has continued to advocate with the Oregon Legislature and governor’s office to ensure needs of counties are met as executive and legislative actions are considered.

Additionally, counties and AOC worked with federal partner, the National Association of Counties (NACo) as federal guidance was developed by the United States Department of the Treasury for use of the State and Local Recovery Fund resources allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Communications

Over the course of the pandemic, AOC has communicated on a number of issues related to the pandemic, including providing regular updates to county officials on federal, State, and regulatory action, as well as funding opportunities that impact Oregonians. Since March of 2020, AOC has distributed over 210 special COVID-19 related briefings and news alerts to county commissioners, judges, chairs, and administrators.

Information Sharing

AOC has and continues to work with State and federal partners, to ensure counties have been able to ask questions and provide input on regulations and mitigation efforts.

AOC continues to partner with NACo and is planning to host a membership meeting with NACo to review the recently released U.S. Department of the Treasury guidance for ARPA for counties, policy to be aware of, best practices, and more. Signed into law on March 11, 2021, ARPA is intended to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including offering supports for public health and mitigating the devastating economic impacts associated with the pandemic. As part of the $362 billion in federal fiscal recovery aid for state and local governments, $65.1 billion is provided in direct aid to counties and an additional $1.5 billion for public land counties.

Key information sharing opportunities AOC has coordinated:

  • Weekly agency partners call (over 50 have been held since March of 2020).
  • Monthly AOC meetings.
  • Regular calls with the governor’s office.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate