All Oregonians over 16 will be eligible for COVID vaccine April 19Free

All Oregonians over the age of 16 will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine on April 19, Gov. Kate Brown announced Tuesday, nearly two weeks earlier than originally planned.

Widespread vaccine eligibility was previously expected May 1.

The move comes as communities across Oregon, and the nation, work to get shots into arms before more infectious variants of the virus can establish themselves.

“We are locked in a race between vaccine distribution and the rapid spread of COVID-19 variants,” Brown said in a statement. “Today, Oregon will pass the threshold of 2 million vaccine doses administered. And yet, in communities across Oregon, COVID-19 is spreading at concerning rates.”

Oregon is now averaging 423 cases a day over the past week, and hospitalizations Monday shot up to 177. Both are the highest levels in seven weeks – but substantially below their respective fall peaks.

Brown stressed that, even with the date of eligibility moved up, her office will work to make sure underserved populations have access to the vaccine.

“It’s critical that we continue to focus on equity in our vaccine distribution efforts. Oregon’s Black, Indigenous, Latino, Latina, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Tribal, and communities of color have been disproportionately hard-hit by this disease,” Brown said. “We must reach Oregonians where they are, including those who may not have easy access to health care or the ability to take time off from work.”

Brown and public health officials were expected to make an announcement later Tuesday on county-level risk assessments, which govern COVID restrictions.