In this issue:

• Statewide system improves emergency preparedness for children and young adults
• Portland woman honored for vaccinating, educating and feeding immigrants and refugees
• Readers offer poetry written during the pandemic
• Latest data shows nearly 8 in 10 of Oregon Medicaid members are keeping their coverage
• Q & A
• OHA's COVID-19 resources

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Statewide system improves emergency preparedness for children and young adults

In an emergency, every moment counts. It’s vital that first responders and emergency medical providers know the details of a child’s health background when making split-second decisions. That’s why Oregon created the HERO Kids Registry. It’s the first of its kind in the nation—a voluntary, statewide, no-cost, secure system that lets families and young adults share critical health details that medical providers can quickly and easily access.

The register can include information about current medications, allergies and physical and behavioral health conditions, such as if a child is non-verbal or has strong reactions to loud sounds and lights. You may also include emergency contact information, which can help reunite families during a disaster.

“As a parent of a young child myself, knowing that my child’s health details and emergency contacts are accessible to medical providers in seconds helps me feel more prepared for an emergency,” said Brittany Tagliaferro-Lucas, HERO Kids Registry program manager. “And what’s great about this system is that families get to choose what information to share.”

It’s a good idea to share your child’s HERO Registry ID with school staff (or anyone who cares for your child) so they can give it to paramedics, for example, in the event of an emergency. Only emergency medical providers will have access to the information.

Designed by parents and medical professionals, HERO Kids Registry can securely hold health data for any Oregon child or young adult through age 26.

The registry form must be filled out in English, but there are Frequently Asked Questions and Registration Guides available in seven additional languages. Young adults 15 and older can register themselves. For more information, email herokids@ohsu.edu or call 833-770-4376.

Portland woman honored for vaccinating, educating and feeding immigrants and refugees

When Betty Brown surveys the free food line that forms twice weekly at the Portland Open Bible Church, she sees a tapestry of immigrant and refugee groups represented, including those from Russian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Latino and Arab communities. It is a source of pride—to simultaneously support and celebrate the diversity of the church’s Southeast Portland neighborhood, where the church estimates over 25% of the local community sometimes goes hungry. “I always say if you come here in the summer it's going to look like the United Nations,” said Brown, executive director of the Portland Open Bible Community Pantry. Betty Brown’s efforts during the pandemic to educate and vaccinate as many in the church’s community as possible has been recognized at the national level. She is Oregon’s 2023 Immunization Champion, an award given jointly by the Association of Immunization Managers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Readers offer poetry written during the pandemic

Latest data shows nearly 8 in 10 of Oregon Medicaid members are keeping their coverage

Q & A

Individuals from OHA’s External Relations Division, Oregon Health & Science University and OHA's Immunization Program answered today’s questions.

Q: My daughter, age 47, has long COVID. I am trying to find a support group for her via Zoom. How do I go about doing that? – Louise, Corvallis

A: “In terms of live video support groups, there are a couple you could look into. First, if your daughter is among the early wave of so-called “long haulers” who had COVID-19 in 2020, she can look into the local COVID Long Haul Support Group. It’s a free monthly two-hour Zoom meeting that invites participants from Oregon and SW Washington, and although it is led by a psychotherapist it’s important to know that the meetings are not a form of clinical therapy. The group is strictly about support, sharing resources, stories, etc. Your daughter can sign up online, which will initiate a virtual screening session to see if the group is a good fit for her.

“Another good virtual support group is the COVID Rehabilitation & Recovery Bootcamp created and led by the Pulmonary Wellness Foundation in New York City (but anybody from any place can join). Launched in August 2020, this Zoom meeting takes place every Sunday at 4pm PST and invites any participants who suffer from long COVID no matter when they became infected. This group tends to attract older adults, but anyone of any age can register for free and participate.

“You can find a number of other long COVID support groups, mostly on social media, with a Google search. But for live online meetings, these two options might suit your daughter’s needs best. Good luck!”

Q: How can I add COVID vaccinations to my digital Oregon Health Authority card? My last Pfizer dose on May 4, 2023, administered at CVS Pharmacy does not appear. – John, Portland

A: “John, the My Electronic Vaccine Card you’re referring to is no longer updated with new doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. That took effect May 11, and your May 4 dose may not have been entered into the system in time. Also, the card shows records for up to four doses, and if people had a fifth dose or more, those doses may not appear on the card.

“You can request your immunization record through your health care provider. Or, Oregon has an excellent immunization registry called ALERT IIS; providers who administer COVID-19 vaccines are required to enter records of those immunizations into it. You can request your COVID-19 vaccination record through OHA’s website, or request that OHA send you a printed copy. For questions, contact the ALERT IIS Help Desk: 800-980-9431 or email alert.iis@dhsoha.state.or.us.”

If you have questions about health topics in Oregon, submit your question here. Although we are unable to answer every question, we try to address those that may be of interest to a broader audience. Please understand that we are unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.

OHA's COVID-19 resources

• FIND A VACCINE
• COVID-19 home page
• News and reports homepage
• Respiratory virus data home page (COVID-19, RSV, flu)
  
• Wastewater surveillance data dashboard (updated every Wednesday)

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An archive of past Oregon Health News bulletins can be found here.