Oregon health officials urge people 65+ to get a second COVID-19 shot

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregonians 65 and older can now get an additional dose of the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine following a federal announcement that opened eligibility to older adults, who are most at risk for severe outcomes of the virus.

Paul Cieslak, M.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at the Oregon Health Authority's Public Health Division, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Feb. 28 approval of a second dose of the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine released last fall can provide increased protection for older adults.

“Vaccine-induced immunity can wane over time, but a second dose restores that protection, which can help keep people in this particularly vulnerable group from being hospitalized or even dying,” Cieslak said. “We urge everyone 65 and older to talk to their health care or vaccine provider about getting a second COVID-19 vaccine dose.”

Older adults are eligible to get a second 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose if it’s been at least four months since they received their first dose of the 2023-2024 vaccine. People can get the vaccines by contacting their health plan, health care provider, county public health clinic, federally qualified health center (FQHC) or pharmacy. They can also search for a clinic by ZIP code by visiting vaccinefinder.org, or by calling 211 or visiting 211info.org.

Because the COVID-19 vaccine, like the seasonal influenza vaccine, is available on the commercial pharmaceutical market, health care and vaccine providers order it directly from vaccine manufacturers. The 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines are available from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Novavax, and studies show all are safe and effective at protecting against serious illness from COVID-19.

Second doses of the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine have already been available to anyone 6 months and older who is moderately or severely immunocompromised. The CDC opened second-dose eligibility to this group in October 2023, but the agency encourages people to talk to their health care provider about whether a second dose is right for them.

While the state has seen a steady decline in COVID-19-related hospitalizations and percentage of positive COVID-19 tests since late December, the virus is still circulating briskly in Oregon communities. That’s why OHA continues to recommend anyone who has not received the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine to get it as soon as they can, as vaccination remains the best way for people to protect themselves against the virus.

The agency also has been aligned with recent CDC recommendations that urge people infected with COVID-19 in the general population, including K–12 settings, to stay home until fever-free for 24 hours and all other COVID-19 symptoms are improving; to wear a high-quality mask when around others indoors; and to avoid individuals at increased risk for COVID-19.

Cieslak doesn’t anticipate a second dose of the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine for the general population – those who aren’t 65 and older or immunocompromised – becoming available any time soon.

“The rest of us will probably have to wait until next fall to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine as a seasonal shot along with the annual flu shot,” he said. “But younger people who have gotten the updated COVID-19 vaccine should feel confident they still have protection against serious disease, and a second dose is not needed right now.”

Cieslak recommends people contact their health care provider or pharmacist to confirm they have the vaccine in stock, as well as call their health insurer in advance to confirm coverage.

While vaccines recommended by the CDC must be covered by insurance per the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies have one year to update their systems. This sometimes results in people being charged for vaccines.

If you learn that your insurance company hasn’t yet updated its system with the latest CDC recommendation, or if you don’t have insurance, search for COVID-19 vaccines using the Vaccines.gov, and narrow your search to locations that participate in the Bridge Access Program to receive no-cost COVID-19 vaccines for adults without insurance.