To: Superintendents, Principals, School Nurses, Communicable Disease Preparedness Liaisons, Charter School Leaders, K-12 Public Information Officers
From: Kati Moseley, Administrator, Health in Education Unit
Date: October 2, 2023
Re: Updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccines and Free COVID-19 Tests Available
As the students and school staff settle into October, I hope that you and your communities are settling into the routines of school and the pleasure of learning and belonging together. I am emailing today with information to support school communicable disease operations into the fall and through the winter. Schools remain a trusted source of accurate information for school communities. I encourage you to share the updates below with school staff and communities in support of health, wellbeing and learning.
2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccines are Here
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has announced that the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines are now available in Oregon. The updated mRNA vaccine is recommended for anyone ages 6 months and older. To find an updated COVID-19 vaccine near you, you can search Vaccines.gov.
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 remains an important tool to protect individual health, as well as the health of your school community. OHA and the Oregon Department of Education recommend that everyone who is eligible and interested in receiving the updated vaccine make a plan and get vaccinated. More information about the updated vaccine can be found in this recent FAQ from OHA.
Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
OHA’s School COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing Program Continues
Diagnostic tests remain available to enrolled schools through OHA’s COVID-19 Youth Testing Program. This includes on-site tests for students and staff at schools along with at-home tests that can be distributed to families. For more information, to register, or to order additional tests, please see OHA’s COVID-19 Youth Testing webpage.
Vaccination, universal use of face coverings during times of high transmission, and testing continue to be key strategies to support and protect the health of students, staff, and families. As the weather cools and more activities move indoors, sharing information on vaccination with your staff and school communities is another way to help make in person learning safe and available to every student, every school day.
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