PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) are considering new steps, including a statewide standing order, to protect pharmacy access to the COVID-19 vaccine amid changing federal guidelines that have fueled confusion across the state.
The move comes just days after Kotek, along with the Democratic governors of Washington and California, announced the creation of a West Coast Health Alliance. The coalition was formed to safeguard vaccine access and public health protections in response to mounting political upheaval at the federal level.
Federal Shake-Ups and New Restrictions
The urgency stems from two major shifts at the national level. In June, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed all members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a move widely criticized by medical experts as undermining transparency.
Then in late August, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) introduced stricter eligibility rules for the annual COVID-19 booster shot. Previously available to anyone aged 6 months and older, the vaccine is now limited to:
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People 65 and older, or
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Individuals with at least one underlying health condition that increases the risk of severe illness.
The changes left pharmacies and health providers scrambling to interpret shifting rules, while patients have faced canceled appointments and inconsistent guidance.
Oregon’s Next Steps
OHA spokesperson Jonathan Modie said state officials are currently reviewing statutes and administrative rules to determine how best to preserve broad vaccine access.
“Standing orders are one mechanism being considered,” Modie explained. “Oregonians can talk to their provider or pharmacy about getting a 2025–2026 vaccine.”
The Oregon Board of Pharmacy acknowledged that the federal government’s narrowed guidance has created significant barriers for patients. “We are deeply concerned by delayed federal guidance, which has caused confusion and created barriers to accessing updated COVID-19 vaccines at the start of respiratory season,” the agency wrote in a statement.
The board said pharmacies will need prescriptions or collaborative agreements to administer vaccines under the new rules unless Oregon enacts its own measures. More clarity is expected after the ACIP meets September 18–19.
Washington Leads with Standing Order
Neighboring Washington state moved quickly last week, issuing a standing order through its Department of Health that allows anyone 6 months and older to receive the COVID vaccine without a prescription through pharmacists or nurses.
Hawaii also joined the western coalition of states working to maintain broad vaccine access. Pressure is now mounting on Oregon to take similar action to prevent gaps in immunization coverage this fall.
Pharmacies and Providers Respond
Despite the uncertainty, some providers continue to offer vaccines under existing protocols.
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CVS spokesperson Amy Thibault confirmed that the company is still providing COVID vaccines in Oregon. “While individual pharmacies may cancel appointments from time to time, the vaccine is still currently available at our pharmacies in the state,” she said.
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Kaiser Permanente spokesperson Debbie Karman said its clinical teams are carefully reviewing the FDA and pending CDC guidance, along with recommendations from medical associations. “Vaccination continues to be one of the safest and most effective ways to protect against illness,” she said, adding that Kaiser remains committed to offering the 2025–26 vaccine at no cost to children and adults.
Legislative Interest
Oregon lawmakers are also watching closely. Rep. Rob Nosse (D-Portland), chair of the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care, said his office is investigating the implications of the new federal restrictions.
“These are excellent questions and appropriate concerns,” Nosse said. “These changes are all happening in real time and I am actively investigating as we speak.”
Broader Public Health Concerns
Public health advocates warn that limiting vaccine access could undermine efforts to curb COVID during the upcoming respiratory season, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Victory LaFara, a social worker and vaccine advocate, emphasized that states must act to maintain trust in public health systems. “Delays and mixed messages at the federal level only erode confidence. Clear state leadership is critical.”
Looking Ahead
For now, Oregonians can still find vaccines at many pharmacies and health care providers, but access could narrow unless state officials act quickly. A standing order, similar to Washington’s, would allow pharmacists to continue offering vaccines broadly while bypassing the federal restrictions.
Gov. Kotek has not yet announced a timeline for action, but with the ACIP’s September meeting looming, health officials say the coming weeks will be decisive in determining how Oregonians access COVID-19 protection this fall.
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