On Monday, May 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved to expand the use of Pfizer vaccine among adolescents 12-15 years old. Hood River County will be able to begin administering Pfizer to this age group once regional approvals are received in the following days. Those age 12-15 may sign up for Pfizer vaccine through One Community Health or by contacting their Providence health care provider.

Gov. Kate Brown announced on Tuesday a new statewide target vaccination rate of 70 percent among those 16 and older (at least one dose received) in order to reopen the economy and lift the majority of health and safety restrictions. Hood River County is currently at 65 percent vaccinated and will be able to move down to Lower Risk category beginning Friday, May 21. Once the statewide target of 70 percent is reached, counties will no longer be assigned risk levels.