COVID-19 Booster shot appointments are hard to find right now for Lane County residents. New appointments for Public Health clinics were snapped up quickly last Friday. Department spokesperson Jason Davis said staff are stretched thin since they’re also holding pediatric vaccine clinics and administering boosters to long-term care facilities.
“So when you get this kind of perfect storm of omicron coming on board, more talk about COVID and people getting anxious for the holidays you have a lot of demand,” he said.
People may have more luck finding boosters at pharmacies or with their primary care office, Davis said.
And, he said more booster clinics will be scheduled.
“So there is hope on the horizon that there will be more spots,” Davis said. “And then by virtue of the way these things work there likely will be a little less demand too as days go by, we hear more about omicron and we just get more comfortable with the current situation. So, I do anticipate it will be easier for people to get an appointment at a Lane County clinic.”
Lane County is on the cusp of reaching a 70% vaccination rate against COVID-19 for the entire population—it’s currently around 69.2%. Davis said it’s encouraging to see that at their pediatric clinics, some parents are getting the shot too.
“The pediatric aspect has increased the conversation about it and they’re seeing friends and family getting vaccinated and so we’re seeing entire families come in,” Davis said. “So they bring their kids in and say, you know I want to get mine while I’m here too.”
Davis said this is a hopeful sign, especially at a time of year when people are visiting grandparents and other family that might be immunocompromised. But, the pediatric clinics have also been targets for protesters who spread fear and misinformation about the covid-19 vaccine. Davis said that’s put a strain on public health staff.
Copyright 2021 KLCC.
