Linn County Public Health will resume large-scale COVID-19 vaccination clinics Tuesday, Jan. 4, at Albany’s Linn County Expo Center, the county’s Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday, Dec. 21.
Both in-house and drive-through vaccination clinics have been held at the venue but transitioned to mobile vaccinations countywide several months ago.
With the recent Omicron variant, commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker directed Public Health director Todd Noble and Expo Center manager Randy Porter to focus on dates and locations for large-scale clinics. By the end of the work day, Noble said clinics will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 4-7, 10-14 and 17-19.
The actions came after Dr. William Muth, Linn County Public Health Officer, told the board that Omicron was highly transmissible – second only to measles – and like COVID-19, can severely affect unvaccinated populations.
People who’ve been vaccinated may also suffer, but research has shown they’re less likely to require hospitalization.
The number of Omicron cases doubles every two to three days nationwide.
All three vaccines will be available, including first and second doses as well as boosters, for both adults and children aged 12 and older. Vaccines will not be available for children aged 5 to 11.
Walk-ins are welcome at the center, which is located at 3700 Knox Butte Road E. No appointments are necessary. People may park in the main fairgrounds parking lot and walk back to the Santiam Building.
Noble told the board that the Medical Reserve Corps, so vital during the first wave of vaccinations, is ready to be mobilized if necessary. The county also owns large tents and ancillary equipment in case a facility needed to be established in the fairgrounds parking area.
According to Noble, mobile vaccination clinics are averaging about 1,000 shots per week. A more permanent system at the fairgrounds could provide 1,500 to 2,000 shots per day.
In other business, the commissioners:
— Were told by County Attorney Gene Karandy that Linn County’s share of a national opioid lawsuit could amount to about $170,000 per year for 18 years, or about $3.2 million. The commissioners believe that money should be dedicated to addiction recovery programs.
— Learned from Environmental Health Director Shane Sanderson that 26 restaurant inspections were held in November, with 88 total this year.
— Approved vacating Steckley Drive, county road 319, near Scravel Hill Road.
— Approved a Plan Map Amendment and a Comprehensive Plan Map and Zoning Map for property owned by Ronald and Virginia Henthorne. The couple want to rezone 108 acres from farm/forest to non-resource, 5-acre minimum.
— Learned from Dr. Muth that there were 65 births (37 females and 28 males) and 138 deaths in November. Fifteen deaths were tobacco-related, 3 were alcohol-related, 12 were diabetes-related and two were drug-related.
– Alex Paul, Linn County Communications Officer