News & Stories for Oregonians
Today, the Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Director, Rachael Banks and Dr. Tom Jeanne, OHA Senior Health Advisor joined Governor Kate Brown to provide an update on Oregon’s plan for delivering booster shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to eligible Oregonians. Colt Gill, Director of the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), also answered questions about schools and COVID-19.
You may have heard that booster shots have been recommended for some people who received the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Booster shots are given when the protection from a vaccination begins to decrease. Getting a booster can help people continue their immunity for a longer period. Booster doses have not yet been recommended for people […]
Is a fear of needles preventing you or a loved one from getting a COVID-19 vaccine? You are not alone. Scientists estimate that as many as 25 percent of Americans suffer from trypanophobia, a fear of blood or needles. Fear of needles prevents millions of people from getting the care they need to live long, healthy lives. As many as 16 percent of people in the U.S. don’t get a yearly flu vaccination because they dread getting a […]
Oregon is ready to make booster shots available to people who are eligible to receive one, if the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup approves a federal recommendation to make booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine available to seniors and people in high-risk categories.
Sharon Porter, a retired educator in La Grande, did not hesitate at all to get the COVID-19 vaccine. As a cancer patient, Sharon is grateful for the treatments that have kept her alive for many years. As Sharon explains, “I have been vaccinated for measles, smallpox, polio, shingles, flu, and all the other childhood diseases. I felt I had a load […]
Today, the Oregon Health Authority’s Dr. Dean Sidelinger shared promising news about COVID-19 hospitalization and case rates, but also warned that we still need to work together to help Oregon defeat the pandemic. As Dr. Sidelinger reminds us, “Our ability to sustain this hopeful progress and ultimately regain the upper hand over the coming weeks, […]
On Oct. 12 last year, Jeff Gilbert was notified he had five days to come up with a way to provide three meals a day to hundreds of wildfire survivors. “Five days notification!” Gilbert exclaimed. Gilbert is a Regional Emergency Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Human Services Emergency Management Unit. He also serves as […]
For many people, Labor Day is a final opportunity to celebrate summer. Barbecues, gatherings with our friends, and last chance summer travels fill our plans. Once again, the COVID-19 pandemic means this holiday weekend will need to look different. You may have already made plans for the Labor Day weekend before Oregon saw cases and hospitalizations surge. If your plans involve outdoor large gatherings or indoor activities that put you and others at risk […]
Getting tested for COVID-19 might feel scary to some children. As parents or guardians, we want to make it as easy as possible for them. Preparing our kids for a COVID-19 test ahead of time can help make it less uncomfortable. You know your kids best and you know what works for them. Think ahead […]
As we see an increase in cases and hospitalizations, many of us may be remembering how we have flattened the curve when our hospitals and health care systems were threatened in the past. Let’s recommit to taking steps to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities. We can rise to the challenge. Get vaccinated […]