COVID vaccine

​On Aug. 27, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limited approval for updated COVID-19 vaccines to all people 65 years old and older and people from 6 months old through younger than 64 years old with underlying medical conditions. As of Sept. 17, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has not yet issued recommendations for the updated COVID-19 vaccine – while CDC already moved COVID-19 from the list of shots recommended for all healthy kids and pregnant women to a recommendation to have a discussion with your provider about benefits versus risks of getting the shot. As a result, some providers and pharmacies have been reluctant to stock updated COVID-19 vaccines. Many pharmacies have updated stock, but are requiring either a prescription from the patient’s health care provider or an attestation of underlying medical conditions for vaccination. These delays are due to inaction by the ACIP over the summer. The ACIP recommendations in the past have formed the basis of the protocols in Oregon for pharmacists to administer vaccines. What this means is that families are confused, providers are under pressure, pharmacies are under-resourced, and communities have been left more vulnerable.​​

The governors of Oregon, California, Hawaii, and Washington have formed the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) as a unified regional response to concerns regarding the CDC's credibility and scientific integrity under its current leadership. The WCHA is committed to safeguarding scientific expertise and vaccine access, and leading with clarity, evidence and care so that individuals and families know their options and can access the protection they deserve. 

The WCHA has developed consensus ​ WCHA 2025-2026 Respiratory Virus Season Immunization Recommendations. ​

​​The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) has recommended that the updated COVID-19 vaccines be available to anyone 6 months or older who wants them at no cost – just as they have been during recent respiratory seasons. The WCHA specifically recommends that the following people at increased risk for severe disease get an updated COVID vaccine:

• Children between 6 and 23 months of age
• Adults 65 years and older
• Anyone older than 6 months who is at high risk of severe disease because they have underlying medical conditions
• Anyone who is planning for pregnancy, pregnant, postpartum, or lactating
• People with exposure to others who are at high risk

Pharmacies are able to provide COVID-19 vaccines to anyone age 7 and older. It is always best to first contact your provider or pharmacy to check current vaccine availability. For information, see the Oregon Health Authority’s ​ frequently asked questions on the West Coast Health Alliance 2025-2026 Respiratory Virus Season Immunization Recommendations​.

​​​​The Oregon Health Authority Public Health Director issued a COVID-19 disease outbreak determination under ORS 743A.264 that remains in place.

• Under this determination, and as specified in Bulletin No. DFR 2025-6​, "Coverage of COVID-19 Vaccination," health benefit plans subject to the Oregon Insurance Code must continue to cover COVID-19 vaccines without cost sharing.
• All COVID-19 vaccines administered per the WCHA recommendations​ must be covered without cost sharing for the vaccine and the administration of the vaccine from both in-network and out-of-network providers.
• This coverage requirement preserves the requirement that has been in place since the DFR issued Bulletin 2021-1​ “Coverage of COVID-19 Vaccinations.” This means that any changes at the federal level will not result in reductions in coverage for Oregonians.

Consumers should contact their health care provider or pharmacy for more vaccine information, including about availability and access.

​​The requirements outlined in the answer to the previous question apply to comprehensive health insurance plans subject to state regulation, known as health benefit plans. If you purchased your plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace (HealthCare.gov​), you have a health benefit plan to which these requirements apply.​

These requirements do not apply to self-insured plans or other forms of health coverage such as limited benefits plans, short-term limited-duration plans, or health care sharing ministries. They also do not apply to Medicare, Tricare, or other forms of federal health insurance.​

​​​​No. The Oregon Health Authority has taken action to ensure that OHP pharmacies and providers will continue to cover the cost of the updated COVID-19 vaccines in Oregon. ​

​​​C​all the Division of Financial Regulation’s consumer hotline at 1-888-877-4894 (toll-free), email ​ DFR.InsuranceHelp@dcbs.oregon.gov​, or file an online complaint.​

​​​​No, ERISA federal regulations apply to self-funded plans. Contact your employer’s human resources (HR) department with questions. ​

​The federal Department of Labor (DOL) Employee Benefits Services Administration (EBSA) handles consumer complaints related to ERISA-regulated group health insurance. Call the DOL/EBSA at 1-866-444-3272 (toll-free). The DOL/EBSA website is ​​ https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa​​