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Brown Outlines Initial Vaccine Plan

Oregon Governor Kate Brown outlined plans Friday for distributing the first COVID-19 vaccines the state receives to health care workers, putting staff of hospitals and other in-patient facilities that have direct contact with patients first in line.  She says that includes people in housekeeping and food services, adding it’s a necessary first step in rectifying some of the health and social inequities of the pandemic.  The next group to be vaccinated would turn to out-patient and other settings, including behavioral health programs and facilities that meet the needs of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Essential workers would come next, and Brown says a vaccine advisory council will be put together to advise on those prioritizations.