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Dr. Paul Cieslak, OHA senior health advisor and medical director, Communicable Diseases and Immunizations, and Dr. Dean Sidelinger, OHA state health officer and state epidemiologist, answered today’s questions. We’ll continue to answer your questions in upcoming newsletters.
Q: The OHA newsletter recently included a warning about the annual School Exclusion Day for required vaccinations on Feb. 15, specifically noting that COVID-19 vaccinations aren't required for school. I've been reading the OHA newsletter since March 2020 and have followed advice on the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations for my children. I don't dispute the importance of any required vaccinations, but I review OHA's disease dashboards and there have been 62 cases of measles in Oregon in the last 20 years, which is a required vaccination, versus over 100,000 pediatric COVID-19 cases, 1,000 child hospitalizations and 15 deaths since 2020. Why isn't the COVID-19 vaccine and current boosters required for school attendance? – Elliot, Portland
A: “Thank you for the thoughtful question. The data you cite about measles are a testament to the success of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations – and of school requirements for certain vaccinations – in virtually eliminating measles in Oregon. Measles, and the MMR vaccine, are different than the situation we face with COVID-19. The measles virus does not mutate with anywhere near the speed of the virus that causes COVID-19. The MMR vaccine is also extremely effective preventing not only severe disease, but any disease from measles, mumps or rubella, with significant long-term protection. We hope that one day the MMR vaccine will eradicate measles from the globe.
“By comparison, COVID-19 is evolving rapidly, and while protection from severe disease in those up to date with recommended boosters appears to be long-lasting (at least for the two years we’ve had vaccines available), protection against getting infected and being able to pass the virus to others lasts for a shorter time. To be meaningful, regular boosters will probably be necessary, and we have never required a vaccine that called for annual boosters (such as influenza).
“In Oregon, the Immunization School/Children’s Facility/College Law Advisory Committee advises OHA on rules for school, childcare and college immunizations requirements. In making recommendations, the committee considers multiple criteria. The COVID-19 vaccine does not have nearly the performance as the MMR vaccine when measured against these criteria.
“So, while not required for school attendance, COVID-19 vaccines are still recommended for everyone 6 months and older to help keep them healthy. If parents have questions, they are encouraged to talk with their pediatrician.”
Q: I am 69 years old and received my third booster in September. How do I know if it was a bivalent vaccine? The only info I have on my vaccination card says it was Pfizeromg(?)r. The last two letters are not very legible. I received it at Walgreens in Springfield. – Glenda, Eugene
A: “Glenda, if you received that booster at Walgreens on or after Sept. 2, it was the bivalent booster. When the bivalent booster was authorized by the FDA, recommended by the CDC and endorsed by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup Sept. 1, the original (monovalent) boosters were discontinued. So, as of Sept. 2, the only booster you could receive was the bivalent booster, either Pfizer or Moderna. It sounds like you received the Pfizer bivalent booster. If you want to confirm, contact Oregon’s immunization registry—ALERT IIS—and ask for your records. When a health care professional vaccinates you, they are required to record that vaccination in the ALERT IIS database, and you can reach the ALERT IIS Help Desk at 800-980-9431 or via email at alert.iis@dhsoha.state.or.us.”
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.
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