Oregon National Guard members will assist with COVID-19 vaccine distribution at the state fairgrounds starting Tuesday.
Salem Health started the clinic last week with help from the Marion County Public Health Department. The hospital says more than 8,000 people have been vaccinated at the fairgrounds, with rates sometimes topping 400 people per hour.
The shots are available to people in the Oregon Health Authority’s “Phase 1a” category. That includes people who work in health care settings, residents and employees of long-term care facilities, as well as first responders.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown said last week that National Guard members will be able to speed the process by providing logistical support. She’s set a goal of 12,000 vaccines administered per day by the end of this week.