Want a COVID-19 vaccine? Oregon Convention Center will soon take walk-in patients

Oregon has enough doses of COVID-19 vaccines that you can now get a shot without an appointment.

Starting Friday, anyone seeking a vaccination can walk in to the Oregon Convention Center.

Shots are free, although patients are encouraged to bring a health insurance card if they have one.

Public health officials are eager to get as many people vaccinated as possible. That’s the key, they say, to successfully reopening the state economy for good.

President Joe Biden is sending out the same message: Earlier this week, he said he wants 70% of American adults to have their first dose by July 4. So far, around 55% of American adults — and the same percentage of Oregonians — have received at least one shot.

Federal officials said this week that one way they’ll achieve that goal is by reallocating doses from states that are not using their full supply to states that can still find takers. They’re also planning to call on tens of thousands of pharmacies to provide walk-in vaccinations, along with pushing states to provide the same service. Pharmacy giant CVS announced Wednesday that it will be offering walk-in vaccines in Oregon, among many states.

Scheduling your shot in advance at the Oregon Convention Center is still recommended to speed the process. Appointments are available online.

The convention center vaccination clinic will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and closed over the weekend so staff and volunteers can celebrate Mother’s Day. Starting next week, normal hours resume. Noon to 7 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The push to make vaccination easier also includes two new ways people can search for places to receive doses: Check the federal website https://www.vaccines.gov/ or text your zip code to: 438829.