Officials from Metro and All4Oregon marked a major milestone Tuesday, May 18 as more than 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered at the Oregon Convention Center. Governor Kate Brown and Metro Council President Peterson congratulated the healthcare providers and Oregon Convention Center teams at the commemorative event.
The All4Oregon mass vaccination site is a joint effort of Kaiser Permanente, Providence, Legacy Health, and OHSU that is operating at the Oregon Convention Center.
“This is proof of what we can do when we come together. I am humbled by the collective effort that went in to making this clinic a success,” said Metro chief operating officer Marissa Madrigal. “By working together with health care providers, the National Guard, hundreds of volunteers and all those who worked behind the scenes, we were able to provide hope to our community, hope that we could see and hug our loved ones again. I am so proud that the Oregon Convention Center could be a part of this.”
When the site first opened in January a team of nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and administrators, gave shots to nearly 2,000 people per day. By April the number of daily vaccinations grew to as many as 8,000 a day.
Oregon Health Authority auditors said the site achieved “gold standard” process for safety, and FEMA leaders who have visited mass vaccinations sites across the country said the site at the Oregon Convention Center is one of the best run facility they have seen.
“Having our Oregon Convention Center as a key venue in providing this regional solution to combat the pandemic is one of Metro’s proudest achievements,” stated Metro Council President Lynn Peterson. “We have all sacrificed and lost so much in the past year, and the work at the Oregon Convention Center represents, more than anything, hope.”
The All4Oregon Mass Vaccination Site will be giving first-dose vaccinations through May 27 and continuing with second doses through June 19. While walk-ins are welcome, people are encouraged to sign up with All4Oregon to make appointments.