Help end the pandemic: Get a vaccination

The following is a press release from Sky Lakes Medical Center

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Klamath County adults, help bring an end to the pandemic by getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Appointments are now available for all Klamath County adults at three Sky Lakes vaccination clinics later this month.

Shots will be given to people 18 and older on April 22 and April 23 at the Sky Lakes Vaccination Clinic on the fourth floor of the original medical center.  Sky Lakes Collaborative Health Center on the medical center campus will be the site of an April 24 vaccination clinic also for those 18 and older. The Oregon Health Authority will remove vaccination qualifying conditions beginning April 19.

You can be assured of a dose and minimum wait times by making a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. Call 1-833-606-4370 weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to schedule your appointment. No walk-in slots or on-site appointments are available.

Sky Lakes will announce additional vaccination clinics for individuals 16 and 17 years old after getting confirmation of an adequate number of Pfizer vaccine doses. Pfizer is the only vaccine currently approved for the younger age group.

Why vaccinate? When enough people are immunized against COVID-19, the virus will be less able to spread, protecting you and those who love you.

In addition to reducing your own risk of getting COVID-19, getting vaccinated also will help protect the healthcare system. When infections surge, Sky Lakes nurses and doctors will have less capacity to care for the very ill. Staying healthy helps ensure that care will be available for those who need it.

Special COVID-19 vaccination event for people 16, 17

A special event will allow qualifying Klamath Falls residents 16 and 17 years old to get their first-dose COVID-19 vaccinations.

Appointments are required for the vaccination clinic, which will operate 3-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, on the fourth floor of Sky Lakes, in the original medical center.

Currently, qualifying underlying health conditions include Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, people with a BMI of 25 or greater, current and former smokers, people with substance use disorders, cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, Down syndrome, heart conditions, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, and people who are immunocompromised from organ transplant or HIV.

Individuals also qualify if they live in the home of a frontline worker or in a household with three generations or more.

Appointments can be made by calling 1-833-606-4370 weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No walk-in slots or on-site appointments are available.

Sky Lakes recently received confirmation that there will be an ample supply of the Pfizer vaccine, which is the only vaccine currently approved for the younger age group.