December 17, 2020 3:45 a.m.

Frontline health care workers received the first COVID-19 vaccinations in Oregon, on Wednesday.

Governor Kate Brown held a press conference to commemorate the occasion. She was joined by Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen, as well as frontline health care workers and representatives from Legacy Health and Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, and Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Ontario.

Brown said, “This is the moment we have been waiting for”. Brown said the vaccine campaign was kicked off with health care workers “…who have been our first line of defense against COVID-19.”. Brown said they are heroes and “…have poured everything they have into this fight”.

Brown said now the state can begin the long, steady process of turning the tide on the pandemic. She said until Oregon can achieve community levels of immunity, residents must “…stay the course and continue to practice the safety measures we know can make an impact and stop the spread of this virus”. Brown said she is grateful to the majority of Oregonians who are following the recommendations of public health experts by physically distancing, wearing a mask and limiting gatherings.

More information on vaccines is linked here: https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-vaccine-demo-4815162342