(KTVZ) -- Deschutes County announced Thursday it has received approval from the Oregon Health Authority to begin providing COVID-19 vaccines to local K-12 educators and staff.

Charles Health System said they expect to provide vaccines to 2,500 K-12 teachers this weekend.

On Wednesday, the Board of Commissioners authorized Deschutes County Health Services to submit the request to OHA, which contained an attestation that the county has completed Phase 1A vaccine distribution.

“We are excited to enter this new phase of vaccine distribution and to begin providing vaccines to local educators,” said county Commissioner Tony DeBone. â€œWe know there is significant anticipation in our community among residents who want to receive the vaccine.

Staff from Deschutes County Health Services and St.

Deschutes County residents who want to be notified when they are eligible to receive the vaccine can fill out the vaccine interest form at vaccine.deschutes.org.

Deschutes County is also working with local health care providers and community partners to notify Deschutes County residents when they are eligible to receive the vaccine8

When more information is available, county health officials will share the process for scheduling a vaccine appointment.

As of Wednesday, 12,290 residents in Deschutes County have received COVID-19 vaccines.

Deschutes County is seventh in the state per capita in terms of vaccine distribution.

"We are so excited to be able to move on to the 1b group and begin offering the COVID-19 vaccine to our K-12 educators, child care workers and early learning staff," said Dr.