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Oregon Board of Pharmacy

COVID-19 Vaccine Communication 9/5/2025

The Oregon Board of Pharmacy serves to promote and protect public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring high standards in the practice of pharmacy. We are deeply concerned by delayed federal guidance, which has caused confusion and created barriers to accessing updated COVID-19 vaccines at the start of respiratory season.

The Oregon Board of Pharmacy has not made any material changes to pharmacists’ authority to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in Oregon. The FDA approved the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine formulation, an update to the 2024-2025 formulation, for use on August 27th. The FDA's approval of the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine formulations was narrower than in previous years, limiting use to certain age groups, and those with high-risk medical conditions. The federal government has not adopted a protocol for this new formulation but may do so during the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting on September 18-19th. This delay is causing confusion and disruption in access to this important vaccine.

Due to these circumstances, there are two ways to receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy:
1. By provider prescription for those who meet use criteria, fulfilled by a pharmacist.
2. If your pharmacy has a clinical pharmacy agreement or collaborative drug therapy management agreement.

The existing ACIP recommendations reference the 2024-2025 formulation, and no protocol currently exists for the 2025-2026 formulation. This means that, in addition to narrower eligibility criteria imposed by the FDA, Oregonians may experience additional barriers to accessing COVID-19 vaccines at a pharmacy without a prescription until a protocol is adopted by the federal government. In response to this evolving situation, some pharmacies are now making changes to scheduled appointments. When the protocol becomes available and is adopted by the Oregon Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists will be able to prescribe and administer this new formulation.

HOW TO GET A VACCINE:

It is best to call ahead to the pharmacy to see what options are available for your specific circumstances. Oregonians can talk to their provider about getting a 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine at their provider’s office or at the pharmacy with a provider prescription; when the federal protocol becomes available and is adopted by the Oregon Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists will have greater ability to provide vaccinations to those who are approved for use without a prescription.

Additional information about vaccine access can be viewed here:

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/preventionwellness/vaccinesimmunization/gettingimmunized/pages/gettingimmz.aspx?utm_source=OHA&utm_medium=egov_redirect&utm_campaign=https%3A%2F%2Fgetvaccinated.oregon.gov%252

WESTERN HEALTH ALLIANCE:

On September 3rd Governor Kotek entered a partnership with Governors from Washington and California to form the Western Health Alliance in response to arbitrary changes to vaccine recommendations and anticipated further politicization of health care. On September 4th, Hawaii officially joined the Alliance. In addition to aligning guidance from independent, established clinical authorities, the alliance will initially be focused on the impending fall respiratory season and ensuring state recommendations are evidence-based in response to broader, further changes at the federal government. Alliance states will work together to find alignment and best practices, and each state may have different processes and timelines for implementation based on the recommendation and legal authorities.

Thanks!

Oregon Board of Pharmacy Staff

Mission

The Oregon Board of Pharmacy serves to promote and protect public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring high standards in the practice of pharmacy and through effective regulation of the manufacture and distribution of drugs. 

Vision

All Oregonians have equitable access to medication and pharmacy services, provided safely and conveniently, through a network of highly skilled and dedicated Pharmacists, Interns and Pharmacy Technicians along with a well-regulated manufacturing and distribution network.

Equity Statement

The Oregon Board of Pharmacy is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) within its organization and for the public it serves. This commitment is reflected in board membership, agency staffing, the services provided, and its efforts to promote patient safety and ensure access to quality pharmacy care. Our actions, outlined in our DEIB and Affirmative Action Plans, demonstrate this commitment.

The following principles guide our approach:

•  Promote a welcoming, safe, and inclusive culture for people of all backgrounds
• Foster an inclusive environment where all current and prospective licensees and registrants receive fair and unbiased service from the agency staff and board
• Advance Diversity and Equity in access through culturally responsive service delivery that addresses the changing climate within the pharmacy profession
• Ensure all patients needing pharmacy services are able to receive safe and timely access to medications, regardless of place of residence, economic or social status, physical ability, ethnicity, or gender identity

Values

These values reflect both how our Board and staff strive to conduct ourselves, and the behaviors we seek to instill across the practice of pharmacy in Oregon.

Equity -  Each individual and group are valued, respected, and treated fairly ensuring equal access to medications and support for their unique and diverse requirements.

Service - We deliver a consistent standard of excellence in all work and respond promptly to the needs of patients, Licensees, Registrants, providers and partners.        

Safety - We are committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public. Safety is the foundation of the board's Mission.

Adaptability - We are open to new ideas and to responding to the changing needs and challenges in the field of healthcare and pharmacy.

Integrity & Accountability - Transparency and honesty govern the board's work. We accept responsibility for our actions, products, decisions, and policies.

Professionalism - We are committed to promoting excellence in pharmacy practice through expertise, commitment, and competence.

oregon.gov/pharmacy