MISSION — The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation COVID-19 Incident Command Team has announced plans for Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center to vaccinate area high school students 16 and over, and school employees who have not yet been vaccinated on a first come, first served basis.

The effort is in response to reports of an increase in positive cases among teenagers in the local area. High school students who are 16 and over, and school employees at Pendleton, Athena, Helix and Pilot Rock school districts are eligible to register online.

“Our children are our future,” said CTUIR Board of Trustees Chair Kat Brigham. “And to that end, if we can help stop any spread of this virus through teenage students we are happy to help provide some vaccinations.”

The appointments for first doses will take place on March 17 from 1-3 p.m. during a mass vaccination event at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. The Oregon National Guard will be on hand to administer the vaccine along with staff from Yellowhawk.

“We really appreciate this gesture from the Tribes,” Umatilla County Commissioner George Murdock said in an email. “They have their own source of vaccine and they have been very generous in sharing it with people they serve well beyond Tribal members.”

Murdock commended the Tribes’ efforts to vaccinate as many people connected to reservation and in the broader community of Umatilla County.

“In the end, this is about getting vaccine for every person in the county who wants it and the Tribes have really helped get shots in the arms of Umatilla County residents,” he said.

The decision to provide vaccinations was influenced by the number of area high school students engaging in sports and other activities, the number of positive cases being reported, and plans for Pendleton High School students to return to the classroom in late March.

“We encourage teens to be smart about their safety inside and outside of school,” said Chuck Sams, CTUIR incident commander. “Stopping the spread in this sector is critical to opening schools and keeping our whole county moving toward a full recovery.”

Area high school students over 16 years of age and school employees who have not been vaccinated can register for their first and second appointment at https://airtable.com/shrBvSnL3ehESq8jZ or by calling the vaccination line at 541-240-8733.