Order aligns with West Coast Health Alliance recommendations, allows providers to administer vaccines for 2026-2027 respiratory virus season starting this weekend

By Will Yurman

As soon as this weekend, vaccine providers state-wide will be able to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to a press release from the Oregon Health Authority(OHA), the agency issued a standing order, which serves as a prescription to allow authorized providers to give the vaccine.

The order aligns with the four-state West Coast Health Alliance which includes Washington, California, Hawaii and Oregon.

The OHA recommends the COVID-19 vaccination for “children younger than 2, adults 65 and older, people of any age with underlying medical conditions, pregnant individuals, previously unvaccinated children, those living in congregate settings, and health care workers.”  The order also recommends the vaccine to anyone who wants one between the ages of two and 65.

The press release says the recommendations are based on information from trusted sources including “the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and viewablehere.”

Vaccines help reduce serious illness and death as well as the spread of the disease in the community and it reduces strain on health care systems, the OHA said in its press release.

To get a vaccine for COVID-19, the flu or RSV, the OHA says to contact your “health plan, health care provider, county public health clinic or federally qualified health center. They can also search for a clinic by ZIP code by visiting vaccines.gov, or by calling 211 or visiting 211info.org.”