Kid COVID-19 shots are coming to The Expo
Dec. 2—A COVID-19 drive-thru vaccination site set up at the Jackson County Expo will have pediatric doses of vaccine for kids ages 5-11 starting Sunday.
COVID-19 shots for children in that age range are one-third of the dose of shots for people 12 and older. The Expo site will continue to provide adult-strength COVID-19 shots. Vaccination is free and appointments aren't needed.
The site operates from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays, at 1 Peninger Road, Central Point. Enter through Gate 1 1/2 .
The site will be closed for the Christmas holiday Dec. 23-26.
The Expo location operates as a drive-thru location in which people stay inside their vehicles while getting vaccinated.
"I would encourage parents/guardians to assess whether having their child get vaccinated in a drive-thru model will be appropriate for them," said Tanya Phillips, health promotion and preparedness manager for Jackson County Public Health. "If your child has a fear of getting vaccinated and that has resulted in them needing your assistance to help them hold still, a clinic setting may be a better option for them. It is something for parents to consider."
Parents and guardians can call their pediatrician's office or local pharmacies to see whether COVID-19 shots are available.
Information about vaccination locations in Jackson County, including sites with pediatric doses, can be found at jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/COVID-19/Vaccine-Appointments/where-to get-vaccinated-in-jackson-county.
On Thursday, Jackson County Public Health reported 86 new COVID-19 cases and one more COVID-19 death.
A 42-year-old woman died at Providence Portland Medical Center, Jackson County Public Health said.
Statewide, OHA reported 1,046 new COVID-19 cases and 42 more deaths.
Again this week, the four hospitals in Jackson and Josephine counties had only one open intensive care unit bed Thursday.
Rogue Valley hospitals were caring for 44 patients with COVID-19 Thursday. Of those, nine were in intensive care and four were on ventilators.
An eight-county region in Central Oregon had only one open ICU bed, and a six-county region that includes Salem had only three open ICU beds Thursday.
Hospitals are continuing to care for COVID-19 patients while dealing with a backlog of surgeries and other care that was delayed when a summer and fall COVID-19 surge overloaded hospitals.
In Jackson County, OHA's weekly workplace outbreak report listed a continuing outbreak at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center that has reached 162 cases.
OHA reported active outbreaks in Jackson County care facilities and senior living communities at Avamere at Three Fountains (64 cases, two deaths), Linda Vista Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (five cases, one death) and Rogue Valley Manor (three cases.)
OHA reported recent COVID-19 cases in the following Jackson County schools:
Central Point Elementary (four students), The Siskiyou School (four students), Crater High School (five students, two adults), Mae Richardson Elementary School (seven students, two adults), St. Mary's School (two students), Ashland High School (four students), Kennedy Elementary School (five students, one adult), Hoover Elementary School (nine students, two adults), Jefferson Elementary School (one student, one adult), Phoenix Elementary School (one adult), Table Rock Elementary School (six students), Walker Elementary School (three students), Hanby Middle School (three students), Eagle Point High School (two students), Howard Elementary School (three students), Talent Elementary School (two students, two adults), Abraham Lincoln Elementary School (two students), Hedrick Middle School (three students), Madrone Trail Public Charter School (one student), Applegate School (one adult), Roosevelt Elementary School (one student), Scenic Middle School (three students), South Medford High School (six students), Talent Middle School (one student), Grace Christian School (two students, two adults), Ruch Outdoor Community School (three students), Willow Wind K-8 (three students), John Muir Outdoor School (three students), Kids Unlimited Academy (two students), McLoughlin Middle School (five students), Oak Grove Elementary School (two adults), Rogue River Elementary School (one student), Jacksonville Elementary School (two students, two adults), North Medford High School (one student, one adult), Ashland Middle School (one student), Sams Valley Elementary School (one student, one adult), Shady Cove School (one student), Phoenix High School (one student) and White Mountain Middle School (one student).
Reach Mail Tribune reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or valdous@rosebudmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @VickieAldous.
