The updated COVID-19 vaccines are increasingly in stock at pharmacies and other places across Oregon, though at many locations the first available appointment is a week or two out.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a dose of the new Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine that targets the latest strains, so long as it’s been at least two months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose.
The Oregon Health Authority also urges Oregonians to get vaccinated, citing the risk of another respiratory-virus surge this winter.
“The potential for another respiratory surge that swamps our hospitals and health-care system still exists,” said Paul Cieslak, OHA’s medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations. “Even before COVID-19, influenza and RSV could overwhelm hospitals in some regions of the state.”
COVID-19 vaccine shots, like flu shots, are expected to be updated and recommended annually.
Vaccines are available in Oregon. Booking a time to get a shot, however, might need planning. A search of Portland CVS pharmacies Thursday morning showed no COVID-19 vaccine appointments available Thursday or Friday, for example. One location had one slot available on the following Thursday, and several locations had openings for the Thursday after that.
A list of pharmacies offering the new COVID-19 vaccine can be found at https://www.vaccines.gov, but finding specific locations and appointment times requires going to providers’ individual pages, such as www.cvs.com/vaccine and https://www.safeway.com/vaccinations. People looking for a shot also can call their doctor or health-insurance plan, or visit www.vaccinefinder.org or 211info.org.
Most health-insurance plans cover vaccines.
— Fedor Zarkhin
Office: 503-294-7674; Cell: 971-373-2905; fzarkhin@oregonian.com
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