Salem, OR – Today, Governor Tina Kotek announced a statewide standing order issued by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) so that Oregonians can access recommended vaccines without unnecessary barriers as the 2026-27 cold and flu season approaches.
“President Trump’s disregard for science has continued to threaten the health and safety of Oregonians,” Governor Kotek said. “My administration is doing everything possible to make sure Oregonians have access to affordable health care and credible recommendations for providers and patients to rely on. Oregon continues to fight to keep health care affordable and accessible.”
Last week, the Food and Drug Administration released uses for COVID-19 vaccines that arbitrarily reduce access to preventive care. The action take today was enabled by a new tool created by Senate Bill 1598, legislation signed by Governor Kotek this year that gives Oregon’s Public Health Officer authority to issue statewide standing orders for vaccines and other preventive health services and ensure coverage of those recommendations. The law was enacted in response to changes in federal vaccine policy that created uncertainty, imposed new costs for consumers, and limited accessibility of immunizations.
“Our job is to make sure that guidelines for providers are clear, credible, and evidence-based so that they can best serve their patients,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, Oregon’s Public Health Officer.
The standing order follows the Oregon Health Authority announcement that the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) reached consensus for respiratory vaccine recommendations this year. The WCHA was established in response to the politicization of federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), following the mass firing of doctors and scientists, and to uphold the integrity of evidence-based recommendations. To learn more about the WCHA click here.
“We thank Governor Kotek for taking swift action and clarifying state vaccine guidelines,” said Dr. Amy Compton-Phillips, Chief Medical Officer for CVS Health. “Oregonians rely on pharmacies like ours for critical preventive healthcare services, and we are grateful to partner with the state to keep these life-saving services available.”
Governor Kotek’s office held regular calls with pharmacies across the state to ensure coordination heading into the Labor Day weekend. Pharmacies across the state are in various stages of receiving supply this week and into the weekend. Please check with your local pharmacy to see if they are accepting appointments.
A standing order issued by Oregon acts as a prescription for approved, evidence-based uses and enables broad pharmacy access. A standing order does not mandate use or change shared clinical decision making between an individual and their health care provider.
