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When you get a COVID-19 infection, you might develop a cough or have trouble breathing. These symptoms are caused by the virus’s effects on the lungs – the organs that help you breathe. The virus, and your immune system’s response to it, can affect your lungs in different ways. Most people don’t get severely ill, and the symptoms are restricted to the upper airway, nose, sinuses and throat.
“It may feel like a cold, a bad cold,” said Gopal Allada, M.D., an Oregon Health & Science University pulmonologist.
But some people experience shortness of breath or a cough that lingers for weeks. In extreme cases, someone might need a ventilator to help them breathe. Check out our blog to learn how COVID-19 affects our lungs.
On a hazy summer day in 2021, the crew of a cargo ship off the coast of Oregon had an unlikely visitor.
Sandy Le, a Portland pharmacist, approached in small boat. Through whipping winds she climbed aboard, onto the gangway, with a supply of COVID-19 vaccines in tow. The people on board needed to be vaccinated, and they came from places around the world where COVID-19 vaccines were in short supply.
Sandy Le and her husband own the tiny LeCare Pharmacy in northeast Portland, and together with their team they’ve administered more COVID-19 vaccines than any pharmacy in Oregon. It’s no wonder Sandy has been named Oregon’s Immunization Champion by the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week recommended the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for everyone ages 12 – 17, and the vaccine is available now for everyone in this age group in Oregon. The CDC’s decision follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision last week to authorize Novavax for this age group.
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is a primary series vaccine including two doses administered at least 21 days apart. Novavax is not available as a booster for anyone who received other COVID-19 vaccinations.
To find a vaccination site near you, check out our blog. You can also use the Get Vaccinated Oregon locator tool to search for Novavax or other vaccines brands, as well as by age group, language assistance and proximity to public transportation. COVID-19 vaccinations are free and do not require insurance or proof of immigration status.
The COVID-19 Biweekly Data Report, released yesterday, shows a decrease in COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths.
OHA’s COVID-19 Biweekly Congregate Care Setting Outbreak Report was also released yesterday.
In addition, some areas of OHA’s data dashboards are changing.
Dr. Tom Jeanne, deputy state epidemiologist at OHA, and Dr. Tim Menza, OHA senior health advisor, answered today’s questions. We’ll continue to answer your questions in upcoming newsletters.
Q: I've heard a new vaccine targeted toward the newer COVID variants will be available in the fall. Are people over 50 who have had two vaccines and two boosters eligible for that new vaccine? If so, can we get it at the same time as the flu vaccine? – Kathy, Turner
A: “Yes, people over 50 who have received a primary series and two boosters are expected to be eligible for the bivalent booster. The CDC recently stated that the bivalent vaccines will likely be authorized only for people who have completed a primary COVID-19 vaccination series, and that the type and number of COVID-19 boosters that people have previously received won’t affect eligibility for the bivalent boosters.
The new bivalent COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are expected to be available in September, assuming the CDC approves them, which is expected. The bivalent vaccines increase protection against the Omicron subvariants and future variants, as they are designed to target both the original variant (like the existing vaccines do) as well as the currently predominant BA.5 Omicron subvariant.
COVID-19 vaccines can be given with other vaccines, including influenza vaccines, during the same visit. The CDC notes that, “While there is limited data on giving COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines, including flu vaccines, experience with giving other vaccines together has shown the way our bodies develop protection and possible side effects are generally similar when vaccines are given alone or with other vaccines.”
Q: Are monkeypox vaccines available in Oregon? – Ashley, Ashland
A: “Monkeypox (hMPXV) comes from vaccines are available in Oregon. Local public health authorities, clinics and health systems in most of Oregon’s 36 counties have received vaccine (including Jackson County where you are writing from). Ultimately, our goal is to provide vaccine to anyone who wants it. However, federal supplies are currently limited. At this time, vaccine is available for people who have had close contact with someone with monkeypox, people who may be at greater risk of monkeypox infection, laboratory workers who handle many hMPXV specimens for testing and health care workers with high-risk of exposure to the virus. Your local public health department is the best resource to find vaccine near you. In addition, we are working with a national partner on a vaccine locator to help people find vaccine providers more easily. We will post the link to that vaccine locator on our monkeypox webpage when the vaccine locator goes live.”
Q: Is monkeypox similar to chickenpox? – June, Hillsboro
A: “Both are contagious viral illnesses that can cause a rash. Both are spread by direct contact with a person who is infected. Both are preventable by getting vaccinated. However, the virus that causes hMPXV (monkeypox) is not closely related to the virus that causes chickenpox. HMPXV is in the poxvirus family, as is smallpox, which has been globally eradicated, while chickenpox is in the herpesvirus family. Having had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine does not provide any protection against monkeypox.”
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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