Questions are answered by experts at the Oregon Health Authority, other state agencies or community partners. Questions and answers are republished by permission.
Q: As a senior who has received every COVID shot offered and a flu shot every fall since they have been offered, I am concerned about availability of these vaccines this fall. What are the chances these vaccines will be offered this year? – Linda, Ontario
A: Regarding the flu vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted last week to recommend the 2025-2026 flu vaccine for all people ages 6 months and up. We expect that vaccine to be available to everyone, as usual, beginning around September.
Regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, we expect manufacturers to release a new supply of COVID-19 vaccines for the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season. However, their formulation, the timing of their availability, as well as who will be recommended to receive them and whether insurance companies or Medicare will cover them for all people who want them is still unknown. Vaccine policy changes at the federal level are ongoing and keeping us all on our toes.
That said, Oregon Health Plan (OHP/Medicaid) continues to cover COVID-19 vaccination for all its members ages 6 months and up.
For you, based on current CDC recommendations, if you are 65 or over and not immunocompromised, you’re eligible for two doses of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. Beyond that, stay tuned. We’ll keep Oregonians informed as best we can, in this newsletter and elsewhere.
Q: If I had measles in the late 1950s, am I still immune or do I need to be vaccinated? – KN, Eugene
A: You are still, and will always be, immune to measles. Anyone who has had measles at any time in their life is immune forever and does not need to be vaccinated.
The same goes for people who have received two doses of measles vaccine. If you’ve had only one dose and believe you’ve been exposed, you can consider getting a second dose.
You can get answers to a lot of common questions about measles and measles vaccination by reading our blog, Measles: what you should know and who might want to consider vaccination.
If you have questions about health topics for the Oregon Health Authority, submit your question here. Although the agency is unable to answer every question, it will try to address those of interest to a broad audience. Please understand that OHA is unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.
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