Making sure kids are prepared for school in Coos Bay

When Erlette Upshaw, executive director for Coos Elderly Services, and Dolly England, OHA Community Engagement program manager, were talking, Dolly mentioned that it would be cool to do a back-to-school initiative in Coos Bay. Dolly mentioned the comics, Beating Covid, that Northwest Disability Support had created to educate children and adults about COVID-19. Upshaw placed […]

Kids back in school? Make an appointment for routine vaccinations

Most kids in Oregon are either back in school already or will be soon. This is a great time to make sure your child is up-to-date on their routine immunizations.  In Oregon, children are required to receive certain childhood vaccines in order to attend school. Talk with your child’s health care provider about what vaccines your child needs to stay healthy this […]

Tips to help make COVID-19 testing easier for kids

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 […]

Vaccination rules for health care and K–12 staff

On Aug. 25, Oregon Secretary of State posted the new vaccination rules for health care and K–12 employees in Oregon. Here’s what you need to know. COVID-19 vaccination requirement for healthcare providers and healthcare staff in healthcare settings In response to the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant, Governor Brown and OHA officials determined […]

Outdoor mask mandate issued for most public outdoor settings

On Aug. 13, Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Health Authority leaders enacted an indoor masking mandate in response to surging COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Today, Governor Brown announced a new rule would extend that mask requirement to outside areas. “The Delta variant is spreading fast and wide, throwing our state into a level of crisis […]

Governor Brown reinstates statewide masking mandate

Aug. 13 Update: The official masking rule has been posted online and can be found here. Today, Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Health Authority leaders announced that indoor mask use will be mandatory starting Friday, Aug. 13, in response to surging COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. On July 27, in response to a large jump in […]

School-Based Health Centers and vaccinations

School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) are a vital community tool for supporting young people’s health and well-being. Located in schools or on school grounds, these clinics provide medical care, behavioral health services and, often, dental services to school-aged youth. Oregon has over 75 SBHCs across the state which makes them easily accessible for many families.    Besides easy access, SBHCs offer services to all students in a youth-centered […]

Make a plan to vaccinate your student in time for school

If you are preparing to send your child back to the classroom this fall, you may have questions about vaccinating them against COVID-19. It’s OK to have questions. Reliable sources of information include the CDC, the FDA and OHA’s website. For personal questions, your health care provider is your best source for you and your family. They have firsthand knowledge of the vaccine, how it works and what […]

Governor Brown recommends mask mandate for K–12 schools

Aug. 6, 2021 update: The K–12 face covering rule has been posted here. Earlier this week, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) released a new set of recommendations to encourage all people in Oregon — regardless of vaccination status — to wear a mask in indoor, public places. The recommendation came in response to the Centers […]