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Access to COVID-19 vaccinations and other health care can be a challenge for people living in rural Oregon. In 1,000-square-mile Clatsop County, an Oregon Health Authority (OHA) grant has addressed that challenge by delivering health care to the people in the form of a mobile clinic. It’s a large van that travels the county, mostly to vaccinate people against COVID-19.
The mobile clinic is set up for blood draws and has a refrigerator for specimens, an exam table, and spaces for a lab and administrative work. It has two entrances, allowing for two medical stations, and an awning on the outside adds space for two more medical stations. Check here to see where the van is headed next.
OHA and Oregon Department of Education (ODE) are working to ensure Oregon schools can maintain safe, in-person instruction during the 2022-2023 school year. Dean Sidelinger, M.D. MSEd, health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA, and Colt Gill, director of ODE, delivered details to the media during a press conference yesterday, Aug. 17. They also answered questions from the media, including about monkeypox in Oregon. You can watch the press conference here.
The event highlighted that August is National Immunization Awareness Month, which makes it a good time to talk with your child’s health care provider about what vaccines your child needs to stay healthy this school year. It is safe and effective for your child age 6 months or older to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time they receive other immunizations.
We are encouraging families start their child’s COVID-19 vaccination series as soon as possible. Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines were tested over several months with thousands of children from several races and ethnicities.
Sidelinger also encouraged everyone to get boosted, if eligible, and not wait for the new bivalent booster expected this fall.
“OHA’s message to anyone who is eligible for a booster is simple — if you are eligible, get your booster now, and do not wait until the fall.”
Protect yourself now from severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and death by getting up to date on your vaccinations and boosters, which are free and widely available. Check our blog to find a vaccination clinic near you.
Yesterday, Aug. 17, OHA confirmed Oregon’s first pediatric case of monkeypox virus (hMPXV). The case is linked to an adult monkeypox infection that was confirmed last month.
This child did not get the virus at school, child care or another community setting.
The pediatric case is one of 116 presumptive and confirmed cases of monkeypox in Oregon, which also includes 112 men and four women. The cases are in seven counties: Clackamas (4), Columbia (1), Coos (1), Lane (20), Marion (1), Multnomah (73) and Washington (16).
To learn more about monkeypox, including how it is spread and who is most at risk, visit our webpage dedicated to monkeypox news and information.
Soul2Soul invites the public to a free day of celebration this Saturday where people of all ages can also protect themselves and their families with a COVID-19 vaccination or booster.
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WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 20; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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WHERE: Washington Monroe Park and Revolution Hall; 1300 SE Stark St., Portland
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COST: Free
The event is offering multiple stages (both indoor and outdoor) featuring live entertainment including the nationally acclaimed R&B singer Liv Warfield, spoken word and African dancing and drumming. There will be cultural food (Soul Food & African cuisine), vendor booths, health resources, children’s activities such as face painting and food box giveaways.
Soul2Soul is designed to engage, invigorate and empower the African diaspora and African Americans in Oregon. It is a catalyst to heighten understanding within and between communities to showcase their contributions to the arts and elevate oneness in the spirit of Ubuntu (“I am because you are”). Soul2Soul is a celebration of Black resilience while repairing the bridges within the African and African American community.
The event and vaccinations are free to the public. For more information including a complete list of performers, visit Soul2Soulpdx.com.
OHA has issued a recreational use health advisory for the Willamette River near Cathedral Park in North Portland due to the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom and cyanotoxin levels above safe recreational use values for human exposure.
People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the river where blooms are, as the major risk of exposure is from ingesting water. These toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, if you have skin sensitivities you may get a puffy red rash.
Dr. Paul Cieslak, OHA senior health advisor and medical director, communicable diseases and immunizations program, and Dr. Tim Menza, OHA senior health advisor, answered today’s questions. We’ll continue to answer your questions in upcoming newsletters.
Q: Regarding monkeypox, should we be concerned about touching things like shopping cart handles, or stair railings, bus grab rails, ATM or store touchpads...things that someone with monkeypox may have touched? And will hand sanitizer help one to keep from contracting it if it’s prevalent on such items? – Thomas, Gold Beach
A: “Monkeypox (hMPXV) is transmitted most efficiently through direct skin-to-skin contact with the sores, scabs or fluids of a rash of someone with monkeypox. It’s very unlikely someone would contract the virus by touching objects we come into contact with during our daily lives, especially those that we use briefly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in one case, investigators found live virus 15 days after a patient’s home was left unoccupied. However, detection of virus doesn't always mean that the virus found can spread infection. In addition, monkeypox and other orthopox viruses are very sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light and common surface disinfectant cleaners, and so far we haven't seen patients who've contracted monkeypox in this way. Check the Environmental Protection Agency for a list of disinfectant cleaners that kill monkeypox virus. Using alcohol-based sanitizer or washing your hands is always a good idea after using an ATM, shopping, using public transportation and touching other public surfaces and objects that may also be used by others.”
Q: Hello, I'm a licensed massage therapist and would like to know the best way to keep me and my clients safe from monkeypox. Are there good screening questions to ask that aren't too invasive? How about during the massage? Skin-to-skin contact is my livelihood! Thank you! – Eden, Talent
A: “Asking clients about any new rashes or skin changes is a great place to start. You can make sure the client’s skin that you are about to massage looks healthy and intact. Healthy, intact skin (no sign of sores or lesions) will not transmit monkeypox to you or anyone else. If someone does report a new rash and they’re not sure what it’s from, rescheduling the appointment after it has been looked at by a health care provider is a reasonable approach.”
Q: Do you know when the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine will be available widely in Oregon? I see the FDA approved it, but it looks like right now the only place that has any doses is OHSU. Any ideas when it will be pushed out to local clinics in Bend? – Arleigh, Bend
A: "You are right that the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is not widely distributed in Oregon, but there are a couple places in Bend that carry it. Using the Get Vaccinated Oregon (GVO) locator tool, it looks like Novavax can be received at the Downtown Bend Library every other Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and at the Bend Larkspur Community Center, every other Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. When you use the GVO search tool, you can filter your results by vaccine brand, as well as age group, non-pharmacies, public transit access and more. In addition, OHA’s three high-volume clinics in Beaverton, Eugene and Wood Village all carry Novavax.”
If you have a question about COVID-19 or other public health topics, 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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