March 16, 2021
In today’s update, you will find important information, including:
- Vaccine Update: How Can I Get a Vaccination Appointment?
- Pharmacy Vaccine FAQs
- KPNW COVID-19 Trends
- Vaccination Quick Facts
- Words from Our Members
Vaccine Update: How Can Eligible KP Employees Get a Vaccination Appointment?
We want to make it as easy as possible for all eligible KP employees to get a vaccination appointment. The updated workflow below applies ONLY to eligible KP employees, clinicians, and dentists. (Volunteers go to Oregon COVID19 or Washington COVID19.)
- If you are a KP employee living in Oregon, click this link to request your vaccination at theOregon Convention Center.
- If you live in Washington and you have a health record number and a kp.org account, go to KP Member vaccination request. If you do not have a health record number and no kp.org account, go to Non-KP member vaccination request.
Note: Schedule your vaccine appointment(s) during non-work time.
Guiding Members and Patients: Pharmacy Vaccine FAQs
Can I get vaccinated outside of Kaiser Permanente?
Yes. If you are currently eligible, you can get a vaccination at no cost from any facility or at any vaccination event that has been approved by the state department of health – including your local retail pharmacy. We encourage members and employees who are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccination wherever there is availability — even outside of Kaiser Permanente.
How will I know if my local pharmacy is part of the program? And how can I get vaccinated?
Individuals who are eligible for vaccination in their state and are interested in getting vaccinated at their local pharmacy should call or check the pharmacy’s website to find out if vaccine is available. Most pharmacy partners are using online scheduling systems to schedule vaccination visits for eligible individuals based on their limited available vaccine supply. For Oregon, the following chains are listed on the CDC program site:
- Albertsons Companies, Inc. (including Osco, Jewel-Osco, Albertsons, Albertsons Market, Safeway, Tom Thumb, Star Market, Shaw’s, Haggen, Acme, Randalls, Carrs, Market Street, United, Vons, Pavilions, Amigos, Lucky’s, Pak n Save, Sav-On)
- Costco Wholesale Corp.
- Health Mart Pharmacies
- Rite Aid Corp.
- Walgreens (including Duane Read)
COVID-19 vaccine is free of charge for everyone. Participating pharmacies will bill private and public insurance for the vaccine administration fee. For uninsured patients, this fee will be reimbursed through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fundexternal icon. No one will receive a bill for a COVID-19 vaccine.
Member Vaccine FAQs: To view the complete list of COVID-19 Member Vaccine FAQs, go here.
Humans of Partnership: Paula McGuffey
“I was diagnosed with lung disease 6 years ago, so I am extremely high-risk. I’m also a frontline worker. I knew I’d get the vaccine, but it did cross my mind about how quickly the vaccine was available; was it safe? I did my due diligence and reached out to my pulmonologist to see if I should get the shot and she said, ‘Yes, yes, yes, get it as soon as you can!’ My reaction to the second shot was mild. I tell everyone I see, ‘I got my shot,’ and I tell them about my experience. I would do it again; it’s not that bad.” – Paula McGuffey, unit specialist, SEIU Local 49 (Northwest)
Humans of Partnership is an LMPartnership.org feature. Visit the entire collection.
KPNW COVID-19 Trends
From KPNW researchers, scientists, and physicians, effective March 11. Based on review of internal trends and external considerations our findings are:
- Anticipated Surge: OR/WA still in a good position in the short term with a decreasing outbreak (R<1).
- We don’t see/anticipate any major changes in the short term, based on transmission rate and leading indicators. Things appear to be remaining stable, and we will continue to watch for short-term trend changes.
- Longer-term forecasts have much uncertainty due to new variants, slow rollout of vaccines, and potential re-opening of society, schools, economy.
- Current modeling forecasts of future surges beginning later this spring do not indicate the potential for equal or worse conditions than seen previously, especially regarding hospital admissions.
- Internal hospital census (ADC) weekly average was down 23% from last week to this week (13.1 to 10.1). Census was 6 on Mar 10. ADC forecast for this week is 6 by Mar 17 (w. error).
- Internal ICU use rate up again. Last week’s rate was 13% (prior week was 1%). Rate based on 1 to 2 ICU patients and low COVID inpatient numbers. Internal ICU had 1 patient on Mar 10.
KPNW COVID+ weekly average of daily cases was flat (0%) from last week to this week (30 to 30). Forecast is 19 daily cases by Mar 17 (w. error). The most recent daily case count was 30 on Mar 10.
Weekly Testing Turnaround Times
The average routine COVID-19 testing turnaround time (TAT) for the week of March 8 to 14 is 17.1 hours. Member communications, including kp.org and call center scripts, have been updated to inform members that TAT is usually within 24-48 hours so they can plan accordingly for travel.
Vaccination Quick Facts
Here is a snapshot of the most current vaccination data as of 3/15. For more information on vaccination rates by age and race/ethnic group and prime and booster doses by geographic service areas, visit the COVID-19 Quick Facts Dashboard.
Words from Our Members
“I was very pleased with the service I received when picking out glasses and frames. The woman I worked with was very helpful, listened to my questions, and helped me find a pair of frames that I am very happy with. The entire process from start to finish was done in a very timely manner. I appreciate the carefulness and concern for COVID-19 protocol. The way the waiting area was set up and labeled was very easily understood. I never had a concern regarding my safety.”