After vaccinating more than 1,700 Polk County Phase 1a residents to date, West Valley Hospital, in partnership with Polk County Public Health, will move and expand its vaccine clinic to the Polk County Fairgrounds, opening their doors today, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To be eligible at this time you must:
- Be in OHA Phase 1a, group 1-4 (see attached illustration)
- Live or work in Polk County
Before coming to receive a vaccine, Polk County residents should visit salemhealth.org/covid-vaccine and click on “Polk County” for step-by-step instructions regarding eligibility, paperwork and directions on how to report to the vaccine site located at 520 S. Pacific Hwy W, Rickreall, OR 97371.
Doing so will ensure the process goes smoothly.
Upon receiving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 22, West Valley Hospital moved swiftly to vaccinate its employees. On Dec. 30, in accordance with OHA guidance, West Valley began vaccinating EMS, first responders and law enforcement (Phase 1a, group 1). Since opening its doors to all Phase 1a community members on Jan. 8, more than 1,700 of Polk County residents have received a vaccine.
“West Valley Hospital is here for our community and the opportunity to offer vaccines for those in Phase 1a is another way for us to demonstrate our connection. We are proud to be leading vaccination efforts in Polk County,” said Brandon Schmidgall, West Valley Hospital chief administrative officer. “Our staff continue putting in long hours to make it happen, but it is an honor to serve our neighbors during this historic time.”
Supply lines for the COVID-19 vaccine are not yet completely stable but West Valley Hospital intends to keep the clinic open for as long as doses are available until everyone is vaccinated. We strongly encourage Polk County residents to visit salemhealth.org/ covid-vaccine and www.facebook.com/salemhealth regularly for the latest information.
West Valley Hospital is the Dallas, OR campus of Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics, which offers exceptional care to people in and around Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley. Salem Health is comprised of hospitals in Salem and Dallas, a medical group of primary and specialty care providers, plus other affiliated services. Visit us at www.salemhealth.org; “Like” us on www.facebook.com/salemhealth; follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @salemhealth; and view us at www.youtube.com/salemhealth.
