In this issue:

• New CDC data: bivalent COVID-19 boosters prevent severe disease, hospitalization
• Oregon launches first-in-the-nation psilocybin services
• National Radon Action Month
• Savings available for private health insurance; open enrollment deadline Jan. 15
• New Oregon data: COVID-19, flu and RSV
• Q & A
• OHA's COVID-19 resources

New CDC data: bivalent COVID-19 boosters prevent severe disease, hospitalization

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released two reports last month showing the bivalent COVID-19 booster provides significant protection against COVID-19-related hospitalization, especially for people over 65. These new reports follow a recent study showing that people experiencing respiratory symptoms were less likely to test positive for COVID-19 if they’d received the bivalent booster. Together, the three reports show that the bivalent booster provides significant protection against mild or severe infection.

Oregon launches first-in-the-nation psilocybin services

OHA’s Psilocybin Services Section has begun to implement the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act, which was passed by ballot measure in Nov. 2020. OHA is responsible for licensing and regulating the manufacturing, transportation, delivery, sale and purchase of psilocybin products and the provision of psilocybin services. Administrative rules for implementation of the new law were adopted last month.

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound, and research suggests it may help address depression, anxiety, trauma and addiction.

OHA is currently accepting applications for manufacturers, laboratories, service centers and facilitators. Check out OHA’s Psilocybin Services webpage for more information.

National Radon Action Month

January is Radon Action Month because now—as we close our doors and windows tight to heat our homes—is the best time to test for radon levels at home.

Radon is an invisible, odor-free, tasteless and naturally occurring radioactive gas found everywhere in the world. Exposure to high radon levels over a long period of time can increase your risk of lung cancer. In fact, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers in the United States.

Testing your home for radon is easy, and it’s the only way to know if you are being exposed to radon at home.

What to know about radon:

• Radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the U.S., including 276 deaths per year in Oregon.
• Many radon test kits are priced between $20 and $30 and can be found in most hardware stores.
• You can apply to receive a free radon test kit in Oregon, which is available to those who qualify, while supplies last.
• All homes in Oregon are recommended to test for radon regardless of location.
• Radon problems can be fixed by qualified contractors for a cost similar to that of common home repairs, such as painting or having a new water heater installed.
• Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99%.

Visit OHA's radon webpage for more information including how to test and links to additional resources. Watch this short video showing the ease and importance of radon testing.

A reader shares thoughts on getting a flu shot

Savings available for private health insurance; open enrollment deadline Jan. 15

Sunday, Jan. 15, is the last day of open enrollment for private health insurance through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. Open enrollment is the only time when those who are not offered insurance from a job or a public program like the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) or Medicare can enroll in health coverage.

Financial assistance is available, and more than 80% of people in Oregon who have applied for financial help since open enrollment began Nov. 1 have been found eligible.

If you don’t have health insurance, start by visiting OregonHealthCare.gov, where you can see if health insurance offered from a job is considered affordable, preview plans and savings and find an expert to guide you through the process.

New Oregon data: COVID-19, flu and RSV

New data on the major respiratory viruses currently circulating in Oregon will be published tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 6. That includes OHA’s weekly Flu Bites newsletter and Oregon Health & Science University’s Oregon Hospital Forecast and Trends: COVID, Flu, RSV. Formerly known as the COVID Forecast, the OHSU report (published biweekly) adds projections for influenza and RSV to better reflect the fact that all three respiratory viruses are now constraining Oregon’s hospital capacity.

Q & A

Dr. Paul Cieslak, OHA senior health advisor and medical director, Communicable Diseases and Immunizations, answered today’s questions. We’ll continue to answer your questions in upcoming newsletters.

Q: I'm in my late 70s and have dysphagia, which means I can’t swallow pills. It seems that COVID-19 antiviral medications like Paxlovid and Lagevrio must be swallowed whole. Is this accurate? Are there any alternatives for people like me who can’t swallow pills? – Lynn, Eugene

A: "Unfortunately, the Emergency Use Authorization for Paxlovid tablets and Lagevrio capsules state they must be swallowed whole -- not crushed, chewed or broken. But you may want to ask your health care provider about the antiviral Veklury (remdesivir), which is administered intravenously. Note that Paxlovid, Lagevrio and Veklury are recommended for people with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection who are at high risk of severe illness. For more information, check out OHA’s COVID-19 Medicines resources page."

Q: My wife and I are "fully" vaccinated and boosted. We got our last vaccines a little over two months ago. We are in good health but in our 70s. In three weeks, we will be going on an extended trip which will involve a cruise and being on airplanes. Even though we’re "fully" vaccinated I was thinking it may be wise to get another booster before we leave. Is there any reason not to? – Dave, Milwaukie

A: "Although immunity against infection wanes over a few months, if you got the bivalent booster (the only COVID-19 booster available since early September) you’re likely to have substantial protection against severe disease. In any case, only one booster is authorized. Because you’re over 70, I’d advise that you consider masking; and inquire as to whether the cruise ship doctor could get you Paxlovid quickly if you did catch COVID-19. If you got a booster prior to September, it was the original (monovalent) formula, and you and your wife should now get the updated booster.

"Finally, are you vaccinated against influenza? If not, we strongly recommend that as well. It is safe and convenient to get COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time."

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 that may be of interest to a broader audience. Please understand we are unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.

OHA's COVID-19 resources

• COVID-19 home page
• News and reports
• Data dashboard home page
• County-level COVID-19 case data
• Monthly Congregate Care Setting Outbreak Report (published 2nd Thursday of every month)
• Monthly Data Report (published 2nd Thursday of every month)
• Cases by vaccination status (updated 2nd Wednesday of every month)

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