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Vaccination

Oregon Health Sciences University Receives First Doses of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is among the first "prepositioning" sites in Oregon to receive 975 doses of the Pfizer BioNTEch COVID-19 vaccine, marking a crucial step in the state's efforts to combat the pandemic. The university has been preparing for this moment, acquiring five ultra-cold freezers required to safely store the vaccine and implementing a staggered approach to vaccinating health care workers. OHSU has prioritized 975 health care workers at highest risk of exposure to the virus, focusing on those in units and departments with repeated and/or prolonged exposure to patients with known or potential COVID-19 infections.

Key Takeaways:

  • OHSU will begin vaccinating health care workers at highest risk of exposure on its Marquam Hill Campus on Wednesday, Dec. 16, using the Pfizer BioNTEch COVID-19 vaccine.
  • The university has prioritized 975 health care workers, focusing on those in units and departments with repeated and/or prolonged exposure to patients with known or potential COVID-19 infections.
  • OHSU has a staggered approach to vaccinating health care workers within a given department or unit, anticipating minor side effects that may require workers to be home for 24 to 48 hours following vaccination.
  • The vaccination effort will be phased, with four rounds:

+ Phase 1A: Health care workers whose primary unit of patient care or assignment is with adult and pediatric emergency care teams, adult intensive care units, and primary acute care units caring for patients with COVID-19.

+ Phase 2A: Staff with continued high-risk exposure to a patient's airway and other COVID-19 exposure risks.

+ Phase 3A: Health care workers who frequently interact with all patients, including those with COVID-19 and other services critical to OHSU's general response to the pandemic.

+ Phase 4A: Additional adult inpatient care health care workers, followed by ambulatory/outpatient staff and other health care workers.

  • OHSU may also receive doses of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine, should the FDA authorize emergency use, and will apply the same prioritization criteria used in offering the Pfizer BioNTEch vaccine.

Statistics:

  • 975 doses of the Pfizer BioNTEch COVID-19 vaccine have been allocated to OHSU for the initial round of vaccinations.
  • Follow-up shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are anticipated on Dec. 22 and Dec. 29.
  • A vaccine manufactured by Moderna Inc. is also scheduled for delivery in Oregon on Dec. 22 and Dec. 29.
  • The general population is expected to be eligible for vaccination in spring 2021, as part of Phase II of the statewide vaccination effort.

Sources:

  • Oregon Health & Science University news release, Dec. 15.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.
  • Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recommendations.
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines.

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