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With vacation from school and extra daylight, summer provides time and opportunities to get out, explore or get together with friends and family. Maybe you enjoy pools or playgrounds, or festivals and concerts. No matter how you take advantage of summer, we’re here to help you get the most out of sunny days while staying safe from COVID-19. One quick tip: if a crowded outdoor event begins to feel like an indoor event, consider wearing a mask.
Today, July 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the COVID-19 vaccine Novavax for adults 18 and older. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the vaccine for emergency use last week. The two-dose Novavax vaccine does not use mRNA technology (Moderna and Pfizer), and it’s not a vector vaccine (Johnson & Johnson). It is made with a traditional protein technology, used for years in vaccines for shingles, hepatitis B and the flu.
“This provides another safe option for protecting yourself against COVID-19,” said Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at Oregon Health Authority (OHA). “Some people may prefer a vaccine like this that uses a more traditional technology.”
The Novavax vaccine was authorized as a primary series and cannot be received as a booster dose.
Clinical trials in 2021 showed that the Novavax vaccine was 90% effective at preventing any COVID-19 illness in all adults and 100% effective in preventing moderate or severe COVID-19 illness in all adults. Although Novavax was not tested against current strains of the COVID-19 virus, experts expect it to offer significant protection against severe disease, as the other currently available vaccines do.
Before the vaccine can be administered in Oregon, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup must review the recommendation. The workgroup meets this evening.
Every Thursday at Beaverton’s Tektronix COVID-19 vaccination and booster clinic, kids can participate in fun art projects after receiving their vaccination. The Portland-based nonprofit Children’s Healing Art Project is on site each Thursday, from noon to 7 p.m. Kids can draw with markers or colored pencils or create clay sculptures. The activities add a festive and playful atmosphere to a day that can be scary for some kids. The Tektronix clinic offers all vaccines for everyone age 6 months and older.
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The nation’s new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is easy to remember – just like 911 – and offers compassionate care and support for anyone in Oregon or across the United States experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, substance use or any other kind of behavioral health crisis.
You can also dial 988 if you’re worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. Trained crisis counselors are available 24/7.
Calling 988 is available on every landline, cell phone and voice-over-internet device in the United States. You can also text 988 or chat online.
Dr. Paul Cieslak, Oregon Health Authority senior health advisor and medical director, communicable diseases and immunizations program, answered today’s questions. We’ll continue to answer your questions on COVID-19 topics in upcoming newsletters.
Q: If an unvaccinated 3-year-old had COVID-19 a month or two ago, what vaccines are recommended after this infection? – J.P., Portland
A: “The child may receive either Pfizer (three-dose series) or Moderna (two-dose series) after they recover from COVID-19 and their 10-day isolation period is over. Immunity from infection is imperfect, and vaccination will greatly boost it. That said, the child probably has significant protection from severe disease for 90 days – so it’s OK to delay vaccination until that time.”
Q: How accurate are the COVID-19 infection case numbers now that at home testing is more widely available? I’m concerned that the numbers are severely underreporting the rate of infection in the community with many people testing positive at home but not reporting their positive result to the state. After experiencing symptoms, I tested positive with an at-home test a couple weeks ago, but only reported it to my doctor. – Jaime, Klamath Falls
A: “You are right in surmising that the reported case numbers must represent a significant undercount of the cases that are occurring. The percentage of test results reported to us that are positive may be a better indicator of transmission intensity. And perhaps the most important indicator may be numbers hospitalized with COVID-19 – because these patients are highly likely to be tested and reported, and they obviously represent more serious illness.”
If you have questions about topics related to COVID-19, submit your question here. While we are unable to answer every question, we try to address questions of interest to a broad audience. Please understand we are unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.
 
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