OAHHS Hospital Voice Spring/Summer 2021

17 Spring/Summer 2021 least ten community-based orga- nizations including Consejo His- pano, Clatsop County rose from a per capita vaccination rate of 34th in the state to 9th. Laman said efforts to work with large local employers like seafood canneries have been successful in getting doses to residents who might have difficulty traveling to a large site during the workday. Laman said the hospitals’ com- mitment to the vaccine effort has been essential to its success. “Without the hospitals stepping up like they have, I’m not sure where we would be. The rural counties that are doing the best with vaccines are the ones that have a strong hospital presence along with public health.” At the fairgrounds, as a highly efficient check-in process handled a line that snaked alongside a calf-roping arena and into the parking lot, there was an unmis- takable feeling of excitement and hope as residents waited for the vaccine and a pathway to seeing and hugging their loved ones once again. As Dr. Nairn told one young man as she delivered the shot, “Let’s get this done so you can get on with your life a little bit, right?” “When I walked in, I saw nurses from the hospital, people from the county health department, I’ve seen patients of mine that are volunteering, it’s heartwarming. It makes me feel proud to be part of our community and our county.” Dr. Angela Nairn, Physician Volunteer