Oregon’s plan to allocate and distribute COVID-19 vaccine is grounded in a commitment to health equity, which requires an examination of how power and resources are distributed. With this foundation, the vaccine plan presented here represents a starting point for the iterative, responsive work of co-creating this strategy in partnership with communities most impacted by longstanding health inequities and disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. This introduction presents the framework for Oregon’s approach to co-creation and community collaboration.

The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn focus to the inequities many communities face. We have been presented an opportunity to put our values into action. This plan is intended to be a living document that represents just one step of many for Oregon as we work toward the goal of eliminating health inequities in our state by 2030.

The inequitable burden of disease and other negative health conditions on communities of color and indigenous and American Indian/Alaska Native communities are not new. COVID-19 has simply highlighted this inequity at a time when more people are paying attention to illness, health and racial justice in the U.S.

Governor Kate Brown shared a framework for applying equity across the state’s response to the pandemic. This framework highlights three equity values that guide our work: 1. Prioritizing Equity: Prioritizing equity and addressing racial disparities as we work toward recovery from COVID-19. 2. Addressing Health and Economic Impacts: Address underlying systemic causes of health and wealth inequalities especially for those most impacted. 3. Ensuring an Inclusive and Welcoming Oregon: Commitment for Oregon to be an inclusive and welcoming state for all.