|
 |
|
In this issue: |
|
|
Kids across Oregon are still behind on their routine vaccinations, and it’s critical to get them back on track before school starts to protect them, as well as our schools and communities, from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Take this quiz to learn which vaccines your child needs. You can also check out this printable 2024-2025 School Year Immunization requirement sheet for Oregon.
For the 2022-2023 school year, only 87.1% of Oregon’s kindergarteners were up to date on their required vaccinations. Twenty years ago, that number was 94.4%. The overall decline has state health officials concerned, especially with a recent measles outbreak among mostly unvaccinated people under age 20, centered in Marion County.
People in Oregon may have been exposed to measles if they were in any of these locations during these times on Wednesday, July 17:
- Waremart (5450 River Road N., Keizer), noon to 1:20 p.m.
- Walmart (3002 Stacy Allison Way, Woodburn), 1:15 to 2:35 p.m.
- Safeway (1550 N. Pacific Hwy, Woodburn), 2:40 to 3:05 p.m.
Measles is highly contagious (watch video), and it may take 7-21 days after exposure before symptoms appear (fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, rash). Stay up to date on Oregon’s current measles outbreak, including what to do if you think you were exposed, here.
Every child who attends public and private schools, preschools, child care facilities, and Head Start programs in Oregon must be up to date on required vaccinations (including measles), unless they have a medical or non-medical exemption. COVID-19 and flu vaccinations are not required in these settings but are highly recommended for people of all ages. Parents and caregivers can learn more about children’s vaccine safety here.
Visit OHA’s interactive School Immunization data page for Oregon's latest school immunization statistics, and track infectious diseases in Oregon on our Monthly Communicable Disease Surveillance Report.
|
|
|
One of the hobbies many people took up during the pandemic is canning! It can be fun, delicious and economical, but it must be done safely.
During peak canning season (July to October), you can call Oregon State University’s (OSU) free food preservation hotline to get advice for the best and safest way to can your fruits and vegetables. The hotline is staffed by certified Master Food Preserver volunteers across Oregon. Common questions they answer are about how to properly and safely preserve fruits/berries, tomatoes and seafood.
Proper canning will remove oxygen, destroy enzymes, and prevent the growth of undesirable bacteria, yeasts, and molds. The food will retain nutrients and flavor and last much longer. However, canning foods incorrectly can create the perfect environment for harmful bacteria to grow and cause botulism—a rare but potentially deadly illness.
Safe canning tips include:
- Make sure to use the right equipment for the kind of foods you are canning, including the right-sized pressure canner. Low-acid foods such as corn, green beans, mushrooms, potatoes, and most other vegetables must be canned under pressure to be safe. Learn more about pressure canners here.
- After canning, check that your cans are properly sealed.
- Label and date your jars. Home-canned food should be thrown out after a year.
- Keep jars in a clean, cool, dark, dry place between 50 and 70°F.
- Stack jars no more than two high so you don’t damage the seals.
- Once a jar is opened, it will need to be refrigerated.
Another great source for food preservation information is the National Center for Home Food Preservation at the University of Georgia.
OSU’s Food Safety and Preservation hotline takes calls Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., until October 11. Call 800-354-7319, and feel free to leave a message after hours. Learn more from OSU Extension Service’s Home Food Preservation program, including food preservation events in your area, here.
|
|
 |
|
Health notes |
|
|
|
Residents in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Basin Management Area (LUBGWMA) can now track nitrate levels in their domestic well water using new maps on OHA’s website. The LUBGWMA spans northern Morrow County and northwestern Umatilla County and was designated by the state due to potentially harmful nitrate levels in groundwater that supplies domestic wells.
The maps show the locations where residents have agreed to have their well water tested, and data will be updated monthly. The information will help residents and local organizations track progress toward making sure families in the area that rely on domestic wells for drinking and cooking have safe water.
To learn more, contact Domestic.Wells@odhsoha.oregon.gov, or call 541-952-9254 and visit testmywell.oregon.gov to learn about free safe water services for residents of northern Morrow County and northwestern Umatilla County.
|
|
 |
|
OHA answers your questions |
|
|
Questions are answered by experts at OHA and other state agencies or community partners.
Q: Do you know when the newest version of the COVID-19 vaccine, approved by the FDA, will be available in Oregon? – Elizabeth, Salem
A: We expect the next version of the COVID-19 vaccine (using currently circulating virus strains) to be available to the public in September, and possibly later this month (August). Regarding specific recommendations for number of doses and age groups, we will have to wait until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) decides. For now, though, the CDC released this general message about recommendations for both flu and COVID-19 vaccines heading into the fall.
That said, we expect the specifics will be similar, if not identical, to the recommendations for last fall’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, regardless of one’s COVID-19 vaccination history: One dose for most people ages 6 months and older; additional doses for people with certain underlying conditions and/or compromised immunity (after discussing it with their health care providers). We can’t make any promises, though, so stay tuned for those details. We’ll report the information in this newsletter and on our social media pages, and OHA will alert the media.
Q: Why are there rabies vaccines for cats and dogs but not people? I read the latest rabies article in the newsletter, but this is not addressed. – Grace, Salem
A: Grace, there is a rabies vaccine for humans, and it’s recommended for anyone who has been bitten by a potentially rabid animal. It’s also recommended as a preventive measure for people at higher risk of being bitten by a potentially rabid mammal, which might include veterinarians, persons who work with bats, and people who travel to areas where canine rabies is prevalent.
However, giving rabies vaccines to the general population as a preventive measure is not cost-effective for the vast majority of people.
The practice of giving someone a rabies vaccine after being exposed calls for a big dose of rabies immune globulin and a four-dose series of vaccine given over two weeks. The cost is several thousand dollars. As a prevention tool for vets, etc., generally two doses are given. Then, two additional doses are given only if the person is exposed to rabies, without the need for the rabies immune globulin.
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.
|
|
If you need mental health support for any reason, help is out there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
