News & Stories for Oregonians
Available in Spanish The COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna use messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, which allows scientists to test, deliver and modify the vaccines quickly. The ability to adapt quickly is on full display this summer. On June 28, as Omicron BA.5 became the predominant COVID-19 variant in the United States, the U.S. […]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that some people, especially males ages 12-39, wait up to eight weeks between the first and second doses of a Moderna or Pfizer primary vaccine series. While the risk is already low, recent studies suggest that a longer wait between doses may further reduce the risk […]
As a parent, guardian or caregiver, worrying about the health and safety of our children seems to be ever-present since the first day they come into our lives. For families deciding whether or not to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, understanding more about myocarditis and pericarditis might be helpful when deciding what is best for your child.
Following the release of new data about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has strengthened its vaccine recommendation for pregnant people. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people ages 12 and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now or […]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup have all recommended an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine be administered to people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems. On Aug. 12, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adjusted the existing […]
You may have heard about the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis after some COVID-19 vaccines. Understanding that the risk is extremely small and knowing what to watch out for after vaccination may help you decide what’s the best choice for you or your child. Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. Pericarditis is an […]
On March 29, the Washington Post wrote about an exciting study that Oregon participated in that shows the effectiveness of the mRNA vaccines in real life circumstances. Dr. Paul Cieslak, a senior health advisor with OHA, says, “This study demonstrated that in real-world use, the mRNA vaccines are marvelously effective – 90% – in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as COVID-19 illness in frontline workers. These vaccines will keep […]
Deidre Greene of Albany shares her vaccine story: I want to be a testimony to the safety of the vaccine to the BIPOC community. I am an African American nurse practitioner, retired for one year, and chair of the Health and Wellness Committee for NAACP Corvallis/Albany. I would not take a vaccine so early in […]
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are both classified as “Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines,” but what does that mean? While this might be a new term for many, researchers have been studying and working with mRNA vaccine technology for decades. The process for making these vaccines can be standardized and produced at scale, making development faster […]
We want to make sure that you are informed about what the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are — and aren’t — capable of. What exactly is an mRNA vaccine and what sort of effects does it produce in a vaccine recipient? For starters, these vaccines teach our immune systems how to make a harmless […]
