Coverage with Selected Vaccines and Exemption
November 10, 2023
CDC Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report
Introducing Oregon Families for Vaccines
During the 2022–23 school year, coverage remained near 93% for all reported vaccines, ranging from 92.7% for DTaP to 93.1% for measles, mumps, and rubella and polio. The exemption rate increased 0.4 percentage points to 3.0%. Exemptions increased in 41 states, exceeding 5% in 10 states.
mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Before vs During Pregnancy and Omicron Infection Among Infants
November 10, 2023
Journal of the American Medical Association
This cohort study found that maternal mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination administered during pregnancy had an estimated VE of 41.5% in reducing the risk of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection in infants up to 6 months of age.
Therefore, pregnant people should not depend on vaccines received prior to their pregnancy but are strongly encouraged to consider completing any remaining recommended vaccination doses, including booster doses during pregnancy. Aside from protecting mothers from infection, these booster doses could ensure continued protection of their newborn infants after delivery.
Mpox rising in Oregon, and so is OHA's warning to act against the virus
November 12, 2023
KDRV News 12
Oregon Health Authority is insisting people protect themselves against mpox following an increase in cases of the virus in the state during the past three months.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) says seventeen mpox cases were reported in about a 100-day span to OHA and local public health authorities between July 20 and October 31.
It is reminding people about the availability of a safe and effective vaccine against mpox, or poxvirus formerly called monkeypox.
Oregon Families for Vaccines is a volunteer-led, grassroots network of Oregon parents and family members dedicated to advocating for public health and evidence-based public policy and promoting immunizations for healthier kids and communities.
We are looking forward to working with you as we fight anti-vaccine legislation in Oregon this session and as we work to maintain strong, evidence-based vaccine policy in the future.
Treatment to protect infants from RSV faces obstacles in Oregon
October 2, 2023
Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB)
In Oregon, the surge of pediatric hospitalizations prompted Gov. Kate Brown to declare a public health emergency and forced local hospitals to add capacity to their pediatric ICUs. Some hospitals even had to send patients out of state.
“The promise of nirsevimab is that should never, never happen again,” said Ben Hoffman, professor of pediatrics at Oregon Health & Science University’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Oregon lags behind in vaccination rate for health care workers
November 13, 2023
The News Guard
The Oregon Health Authority would like 90% of health care workers to be vaccinated against the flu, but the state lags far behind that goal.
The agency has issued an alert saying that 64% of health care employees are vaccinated against the virus, compared with 85% during the 2019-20 flu season. But as the pandemic deepened and spread, and people stayed home or masked in public places, vaccination rates among health care workers plummeted, and they’ve yet to recover. Last flu season, 63% of health care workers got a flu vaccine.
Oregon's school vaccine exemption rate remains high
August 30, 2023
Axios Portland
Oregon has one of the highest vaccine exemption rates for kindergartners in the country.
7% of kindergartners across the state were granted exemptions for required vaccines as of the 2022 school year, below only Idaho (9.8%) and Utah (7.4%).
Why it matters: Vaccinations reduce the spread of illnesses — some potentially fatal — that once plagued the country, such as polio.
Drop in routine vaccinations
November 14, 2023
Your Local Epidemiologist
A few years ago, rates of routine vaccines (i.e., DTaP, measles, mumps, rubella, and polio) began to decline. Last school year, vaccine coverage among kindergarten students hit a new low—93%.
The states with the fastest-growing rate of vaccine exemptions are Hawaii, Idaho, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Oregon. This acceleration started in 2020 and hasn’t slowed.
Animated Series on Vaccines for Parents
Boost Oregon
This fun and easy to understand series of animated videos is for parents and vaccine champions. Videos cover commonly asked questions and address concerns, and the series is also available Spanish.
Oregon Health Authority urges infant safety amid RSV vaccine shortage
November 10, 2023
KOIN News 6
State health officials are urging Oregonians to take precautions against respiratory syncytial virus in infants amid a national shortage of vaccines, the Oregon Health Authority announced Wednesday.
Up to 3% of Oregon infants are hospitalized each year with RSV,” said Dr. Melissa Sutton, OHA medical director for respiratory viral pathogens. “As the holiday season approaches and we gather with family and friends, RSV is expected to increase in our communities. Now is the time to plan how you will protect newborns and other young children you might be around as you gather with friends and family members.”
OHSU urges families to stay up to date on children’s vaccinations during respiratory illness season
September 29, 2023
Oregon Health and Science University
Clinicians at Oregon Health & Science University say the best thing parents can do to prevent the spread of coughs, sore throats, fevers and other symptoms is to stay up to date on all vaccines.
"Vaccination is a safe, simple and highly effective way to help keep your kids healthy,” says Ben Hoffman, M.D., professor of pediatrics and medical director of the Tom Sargent Safety Center at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. “Last year, we saw a devastating number of children hospitalized with respiratory illnesses. Vaccines are one of the best tools we have to prevent severe illness in kids, and for everyone in the community. We all want to do our part to protect our families and communities.”
