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In this issue: |
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Respiratory virus season is upon us, and so is the season for holiday celebrations when viruses such as COVID-19, flu and RSV are more likely to spread. It’s not too late to protect yourself and others from severe illness during the holidays by getting vaccinated, and to know you’ll be protected through the winter when people spend more time socializing indoors.
COVID-19
- Everyone 6 months and older should receive the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine to protect against severe illness from variants currently circulating in Oregon and across the United States.
- People ages 65 and older should get a second dose of the 2024-2025 vaccine six months after receiving the first dose.
- People ages 6 months and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are recommended to receive a second dose of the 2024-2025 vaccine, at least two months after receiving the first dose. A third dose or more may be available after discussing it with your health care provider.
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)
- If you are 75 or older and have never received the RSV vaccine that became available last year, it is recommended you receive a single dose now.
- If you are ages 60-74, at increased risk of severe RSV disease and have never received the RSV vaccine, it is recommended you receive a single dose now. Talk to your health care provider if you think you may be at increased risk of severe RSV disease.
- The RSV vaccine for older adults is not currently an annual vaccine. Protection lasts more than one year, which means that if you have received an RSV vaccine already (including last year), you should not get another dose at this time. CDC will study how long protection lasts and may update the recommendation, as needed.
- CDC recommends all babies be protected from severe RSV by one of two options (most babies do not need both):
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Nirsevimab immunization is recommended for all infants under 8 months old during RSV season. Also, babies between 8 and 19 months old who are at high risk should receive nirsevimab in their second RSV season.
- Newborns can also be protected if the mother receives the maternal RSV vaccine, administered between 32 through 36 weeks of pregnancy during RSV season.
Flu
- Everyone 6 months and older should receive a flu shot every year. For children ages 6 months to 8 years who have received fewer than two doses before this season should get two doses, at least four weeks apart.
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In addition to COVID-19, RSV and flu, other respiratory viruses are extremely common this time of year, including many that urgent care facilities and other providers don't generally test for.
Resources to protect yourself and people you live with who may be at higher risk:
Stay up to date on respiratory viruses in Oregon, including wastewater surveillance, hospitalization and test percent positivity data, by visiting OHA’s Respiratory Virus Data dashboard.
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People as young as 50 are now recommended to get vaccinated against pneumococcal disease. Previously, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended people ages 65+ receive the pneumococcal vaccine, and this fall the CDC broadened the recommendation to everyone ages 50 and older (which is when risk of infection substantially increases).
Pneumococcal bacteria can cause serious illnesses, including pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections. Many people, especially children, carry the bacteria in their nose or throat at one time or another without being ill. Occasionally, however, the bacteria get down into the lungs or into the bloodstream, which causes illness.
People at high risk of pneumococcal disease include:
- Children under 5 (especially those who attend childcare); adults 65 or older.
- African American, Alaska Native and some American Indian persons.
- People with chronic lung, kidney, heart or lung disease, diabetes, cochlear implants (for hearing), as well as those who smoke cigarettes or drink excessive amounts of alcohol.
- People with compromised immune systems.
Now is a great time to get vaccinated against pneumococcal disease in preparation for the winter respiratory season.
Most retail pharmacies offer pneumococcal vaccination, which is fully covered by Medicare Part B and most private health insurance plans. Oregon Health Plan (OHP/Medicaid) covers pneumococcal vaccination at no cost to the patient anywhere the vaccine is offered that accepts OHP. We recommend calling your pharmacy in advance to confirm they have the vaccine and will bill your insurance.
To learn more about pneumococcal disease, including symptoms, spread, complications and the vaccine, visit the CDC website.
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Health notes |
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OHA is accepting applications to serve on the Oversight and Accountability Council (OAC), which was established by Measure 110 in 2020. The OAC oversees and provides funding for Behavioral Health Resource Networks (BHRNs). There are 42 BHRNs across Oregon which provide services for individuals experiencing substance use disorder.
The Council is looking for new members in several categories including:
- People with lived experience of substance use disorder.
- Licensed clinical social workers.
- Harm reduction services providers.
- Mental or behavioral health providers.
- People who work for non-profit organizations (including housing services) that advocate for people with substance use disorder experience or mental health conditions.
Members of the OAC serve four-year terms and may be eligible for a stipend to compensate them for their time engaged official OAC duties.
The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18.
To apply, fill out and submit this online form. Selected applicants will be informed by Jan. 31, 2025.
For questions or more information, email OHA.Measure110@oha.oregon.gov, or contact Karli Cunningham at Karli.Cunningham2@oha.oregon.gov or 971-240-8690.
If you need to enroll in, renew or change your Marketplace health plan, there are two upcoming deadlines to know about:
- If you take action by Dec. 15, your new coverage begins Jan. 1, 2025.
- If you take action between Dec. 16 and Jan. 15, your new coverage begins Feb. 1, 2025.
Marketplace open enrollment runs from Nov. 1 through Jan. 15, and if you need health coverage and miss open enrollment, you may not be able to enroll unless you are eligible for a special enrollment period. (Open enrollment is for people not insured through their job, Oregon Health Plan/OHP or Medicare.)
To help you explore your options, the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace has launched an upgraded version of its popular Window Shopping tool, offering Oregonians an even easier way to explore their health coverage options and maximize potential savings.
The enhanced tool provides an easy-to-use experience in both Spanish and English. Based on location, age and income, the tool estimates potential savings and directs users to the appropriate health coverage. New features also include more detailed information on coverage for gender-affirming care—a benefit included in all Marketplace plans for 2025.
The window shopping tool continues to offer quick comparisons of health plans including of out-of-pocket costs, and also checks for provider, facility and prescription drug coverage.
To get personalized help with your search, visit this webpage and choose “Marketplace” in the form to see local insurance and community organizations near you. Insurance agents and some community partner organizations help with applying for coverage and choosing Marketplace plans, but only insurance agents can suggest a plan for you.
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OHA answers your questions |
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Questions are answered by experts at OHA, other state agencies or community partners.
Q: I'm wondering about mask expiration dates. I know most people aren't masking these days, but I still am! (And other seniors or immunocompromised etc. may be, too.) With the masks I use (Powecom), the expiration date is three years from the manufacture date. I'm wondering if these dates actually matter? Should I wear an expired mask? I've kept masks I've worn before, usually for grocery store shopping. If the ear loops aren't too stretched out and the mask isn't wet, are they possibly still good for wearing past their expiration date? Also, could you explain what exactly makes a mask unusable and ineffective? Or is there a good reason to just buy new masks and throw away any used ones? Thanks very much! (I'll clear out my closets if you clear up my questions!) – Lynn, Eugene
A: Lynn, brand new (unused) disposable masks generally have a shelf-life between two to three years. We recommend you check the manufacturer’s instructions for storage and use. These types of masks can deteriorate over time (even if they are unused) due to improper storage and handling.
We recommend contacting the manufacturer with specific questions regarding the use of your masks beyond the expiration date.
Disposable face masks are designated as “one-time use” masks and are not meant for repeated use. You should not continue to use disposable masks that become wet or dirty.
Face masks work by preventing the spread of respiratory droplets that may contain viral pathogens. Damaged face masks should not be worn because holes and tears make the mask ineffective. Each time you put on a mask, check the condition of it first; look for any holes or tears and make sure the straps are in good condition and not too stretched out – you want a snug fit without large gaps around the edges.
Watch this VIDEO to learn how to make your unused disposable masks fit better.
Learn more here about the quality and effectiveness of different types of respirators and masks here.
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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