December 29, 2020 3:30 a.m.

Staff with the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs have announced that residents and staff at its Oregon Veterans’ Homes in Lebanon and The Dalles received their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from Consonus Healthcare over the weekend.

A release said vaccinations were made available to all staff and residents. It is free to all that take it. Oregon has prioritized residents of long-term care facilities, as well as frontline health care workers to receive it first.

ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick said “We are grateful for the scientists and lab technicians who have made this vaccine possible in record time”. Fitzpatrick said the agency is grateful for the national, state and local partners that have brought doses to Oregon, and “…ensured our honored residents and the incredible staff of the Oregon Veterans’ Homes are among the first to receive it”.

The release said the vaccine requires two doses for full efficacy and it will be months before enough of the population has received them to reach the safe threshold of community immunity.

The release said the Homes will continue to follow strict infectious disease protocols and conduct regular testing to ensure the safety of residents and staff. ODVA is also working with public health officials to determine ongoing visitation and admissions guidance as the state continues to distribute the vaccinations to all Oregonians.