Questions are answered by experts at OHA and other state agencies or community partners.
Q: In early November I got the latest COVID-19 vaccine, as well the RSV vaccine in my other arm, at the same time. Three weeks later, a pharmacist told my wife that the latest research indicated that the two vaccines should be separated by at least two weeks. I wonder if a target immunity is compromised when both vaccines are received together, as in my case; and if either or both of these vaccines should be readministered. – Larry, Eugene
A: The pharmacist may have been reacting to the fact that some health authorities have suggested a 14-day waiting period between getting COVID-19 and RSV vaccines. A report from the Ontario (Canada) public health department recommends a 14-day separation between receiving these two shots, but that recommendation is not based on scientific data.
The report states: “There are currently no data available regarding the co-administration of the RSV vaccine with COVID-19 vaccines, or for the co-administration of the RSV, COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. Therefore, the potential for immune impacts and [Adverse Events] attributable to co-administration in these circumstances is unknown.”
In other words, with the absence of data addressing this question, their advice is to assume there might be drawbacks from getting COVID-19 and RSV shots at the same time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention takes a different position: “There is no evidence that non-live vaccines interfere with the immune response to other non-live vaccines or to live vaccines. Any non-live vaccine can be administered either simultaneously or at any time before or after a different non-live vaccine or live vaccine.” See a list of live and non-live vaccines here.
The CDC advises getting them both during the same visit if you can, and OHA agrees. We do not recommend you repeat the COVID-19 or RSV vaccinations at this time.
Q: Is the Oregon Health Plan renewal set for one year or two years? – Lisa, Portland
Starting this month, most new OHP members will have uninterrupted coverage for two years before having to renew, and young children will keep coverage until their 6th birthday. There are a few exceptions where members must renew every year.
This new policy is called "continuous eligibility," and it means OHP members will keep coverage until their next renewal—even if income or family size changes before then.
This only applies to people that have applied or renewed since April 2023. During the pandemic emergency, people kept OHP even if they were no longer eligible. The new continuous eligibility protections apply only after someone’s post-pandemic renewal (which started in April 2023).
For more information about OHP changes, including continuous eligibility exceptions and how to determine if it applies to you, read our blog.
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 of interest to a broad audience. Please understand that we are unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.
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