COVID-19 Vaccines Now More Accessible in Local Pharmacies for Residents of Oregon
People in Oregon wanting a COVID-19 vaccine can now find it easier to get one from their community pharmacies.
Breaking free from federal guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination, Oregon has adopted its own set of recommendations and a host of regulatory changes to make getting vaccinated easier. Pharmacists are able to administer COVID-19 vaccines to the majority of individuals without needing a prescription. Furthermore, health insurance plans regulated by the state are now required to cover the cost of these vaccines.
Updated Guidelines for Vaccination
The new direction comes on the heels of recent advice from the West Coast Health Alliance, a collaborative effort between Oregon, Washington, California, and Hawaii. The alliance strongly advises the newly available seasonal COVID-19 vaccine for anyone aged 6 months and above who wishes to get vaccinated. These recommendations from the alliance extend beyond the current federal guidelines, which do not include healthy adults and children in most cases.
This move by state officials aims to minimize confusion and ensure that anyone in Oregon who wants to get vaccinated can do so before the winter virus season intensifies.
Overcoming Previous Challenges
In the past few weeks, getting a COVID-19 vaccine in Oregon has been a difficult and perplexing task. The state had previously aligned its vaccination regulations with federal guidelines. This meant that Oregon was left in limbo when the new COVID-19 vaccines were approved by the federal health department, but the criteria for who can or should receive them was restricted.
Meanwhile, the national immunization expert panel, which typically establishes the country-wide vaccination schedule, had not yet provided its guidance. This delay led to pharmacies in Oregon turning away customers, quite different from neighboring Washington where residents could easily get a vaccine.
New Regulations Provide Clarity
The Pharmacy Board in Oregon has now implemented emergency rules, permitting pharmacists to prescribe and give COVID-19 vaccines to individuals aged 7 and above. This aligns the process with other vaccines that are readily available at pharmacies.
However, children under the age of 7 will still need to receive the vaccine from their primary healthcare provider or a medical clinic, as pharmacists are not permitted to give COVID-19 or RSV shots to younger children. But, flu shots might be obtainable in pharmacies for children as young as 6 months.
Financial Barriers Reduced
In an effort to lower financial obstacles to vaccination, Oregon is mandating that health insurance plans regulated by the state cover the cost of the updated COVID-19 shot without any copays, deductibles or coinsurance. This includes plans available on the state’s health insurance marketplace and coverage provided through the Oregon Educators Benefit Board.
The health plan in Oregon, which covers more than 1.4 million residents, will also cover the cost of the vaccines, as will health plans for state employees.
It's important to note that federal programs like Medicare and Tricare are not influenced by these new state regulations and will continue to follow federal guidelines. Large employers with self-funded health plans are also excluded, as these plans fall under federal regulations. This means that some people in Oregon may still need to confirm coverage with their insurers before getting vaccinated.