[Libs-Or] COVID vaccine update

[NIELSEN Buzzy * SLO]

** Please forgive cross-postings **

Governor Brown held a press conference on Friday<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUg7ju5zAgw> and discussed the final timeline for additional vaccine eligibility<https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le3527A.pdf>, which has implications for library workers. The updated timeline includes frontline workers, who will be eligible to receive vaccinations (as part of Group 7 in Phase 1B) no later than May 1, 2021.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) defines a frontline worker<https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le3527C.pdf> as someone who works in one of the identified sectors (see next paragraph) and has a job that puts the individual at higher risk for contracting COVID-19 because of:

  *   Regular close contact with others outside of their household (less than six feet); and
  *   Routine (more than 15 minutes per person(s)) close contact with others outside of their household; and
  *   They cannot perform their job duties from home or another setting that limits the close or routine contact with others outside of their household.

Library workers in academic, public, and county law libraries who meet the above criteria could be eligible for vaccines no later than May 1, 2021, since OHA's identified sectors for group 7 include:

  *   Community colleges, colleges, universities, vocational rehabilitation, trade, and professional schools; and
  *   Information technology and communications; and
  *   Government, including employees and contractors performing services or business for the public, and elected officials.

See this infographic<https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le3527C.pdf> for further details. Per the document, library workers ages 45-64 with underlying health conditions as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) could be eligible for vaccinations as part of Group 6 and no later than March 29, 2021.

Please note that library workers in K-12 schools and early learning facilities are already eligible to receive vaccinations

If you have specific questions about vaccine eligibility, we encourage you to contact your local public health agency<https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/ProviderPartnerResources/LocalHealthDepartmentResources/Pages/lhd.aspx> or visit OHA's vaccine website<https://covidvaccine.oregon.gov/>. The Frequently Asked Questions<https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le2390u.pdf> address many issues, including eligibility. More general information about how libraries can respond to the ongoing pandemic can be found on the State Library's COVID-19 information guide<https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/coronavirus>. The guide could prove particularly useful as more counties move into lower risk levels.

It cannot be said enough: what you are doing is enough, and it's appreciated by your patrons, students, faculty, and us here at the State Library. You all continue doing an excellent job serving your communities. We here at the State Library are amazed every day by your tenacity, ingenuity, and heart. Thank you for what you do!

Stay safe, stay healthy,

Buzzy Nielsen, MPP, MSI (he/him/his)
Program Manager, Library Support & Development Services
State Library of Oregon
bnielsen at slo.oregon.gov | 971-375-3486
www.oregon.gov/library/libraries<https://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries>
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