News & Stories for Oregonians
Ricardo Cobar, an IT network technician for Greater Albany Public Schools, got COVID-19 in December 2020. Most of his family members also got COVID-19, but for Ricardo and his mother, the experience was life-threatening. As Ricardo shares, “My mother and I had to go to the Intensive Care Unit. I was close to death. I […]
Today, Governor Kate Brown, Oregon Department of Education (ODE), Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) leadership urged Oregon families to take five important steps to make the 2021-2022 school year a safe one. Make a plan to vaccinate all eligible household members. Wear a face covering in public and in […]
There is some confusion about the new name for the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer-BioNTech. Here’s what the Pfizer-BioNTech company website says about the name: “Comirnaty is the new name for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Once a drug or other intervention receives FDA approval the manufacturer typically gives it a brand name, and Comirnaty is […]
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 […]
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 […]
This weekend will mark the first holiday in over 15 months without COVID-19 restrictions in place. While that’s cause for celebration, there is also still reason to stay cautious. People who have not yet been fully vaccinated — including children under 12 who can’t yet get the vaccine — are still vulnerable to the virus. […]
Sandy Polishuk shared her reasons for getting the COVID-19 vaccine and what vaccination has given to her. As an octogenarian, I knew I was in higher danger of serious illness, or even death, if I contracted COVID-19, but I was most motivated by my love of my family and my desire to spend time with […]
Memorial Day Weekend is nearly here and many of us will take some time to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. That might include visiting a memorial garden or cemetery during the three-day break. With questions continuing to surface about County Risk Levels and how guidance varies for fully vaccinated individuals, […]
Because some people with COVID-19 can have very mild symptoms, some may see natural infection as preferable to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The fact is that natural immunity or protection from COVID-19 is not preferable to getting vaccinated. While it’s true that having COVID-19 may create some protection, known as natural immunity, to COVID-19, at […]
This article is an extended version of a story that originally aired in the May 3, 2021 issue of Oregon Coronavirus Update. We’ve noticed that there’s been some confusion online about whether an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) is the same as approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Let’s get into it and start […]
