07 Sep COVID FAQ (frequently asked questions)

Access to the vaccine in Oregon is now better than it has ever been and Bienestar residents who want the vaccine can get it here in Washington County. Under the guidance of Oregon Health Authority, we continue to develop the most frequently asked questions to guide Bienestar through this phase of the pandemic.

UPDATE: As of August 27, masks are required in all indoor public places and most outdoor settings where physical distancing is not possible.

With the Delta surge, Oregon has recalled much of its reopening guidance from earlier in the summer. As of August 30, although capacity limits and social distancing guidelines are no longer in effect, many business owners can require proof of vaccination and masks are required indoors regardless of vaccination status.
COVID-19 news changes quickly. For the latest updates, OHA’s website is helpful: Click here for Spanish or Click Here for EnglishOregon is open – What does that mean?Masks are no longer required indoors or outdoors, except in airports, on public transport and in healthcare centers, per federal guidelines.

What is the Delta variant?

The Delta variant, also known as B.1.617.2, ​​ is a mutation of the COVID-19 variant and has been labeled a “variant of concern” by the CDC because it spreads more easily than other COVID-19 variants. Delta has accounted for much of the virus’ spread and increased cases in the US since June. Vaccines are effective against the Delta variant but communities with low vaccination rates are at great risk of a rise in COVID-19 cases due to the rate at which the Delta spreads. As of mid-July, the Delta variant accounts for roughly 25% of cases in the nation.

I feel sick –  should I get tested for COVID-19?

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 – shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, fever, cough, chills or nausea, you should get tested for the virus. If you have a known exposure to COVID-19, you should get tested. Even if you are fully vaccinated and are exhibiting these symptoms, you should get tested.

If I test positive, what should I do? 

Get medical care, if needed, and then stay home. If you are positive for COVID-19, you should isolate yourself from others for 10 days and until 24 hours after the fever is gone. Even if you do not have symptoms, you can still spread the disease so quarantine is important. Alert those you have been in contact with that you have tested positive.

For a comprehensive guide on what to do after getting tested from Multnomah, Washington Columbia and Clackamas Counties, Click Here for Spanish or Click Here for English. 

Earlier in the pandemic, people were talking about contact tracing. Are they still doing that?

Contact tracing is a public health tool used to end the spread of the virus. In Washington County, contact tracing is still being used even though Oregon is open. If you test positive, you may receive a call from a health worker who will ask:

• Where you have been and who you have had close contact with in the last few weeks. A close contact is someone you were within six feet of for at least 15 minutes in a 24-hour period, with or without face coverings.
• About your health, housing situation and employment. 
• We ask you if you have what you need to stay safe and recover. We can help you come up with a plan to stay home safely.

You will not be asked for your social security number, credit cards or immigration status and your information will not be shared with the federal government. 

If you do not answer, the health worker will leave a message and if you are unsure if the call is legitimate, you can call Washington County at 503-846-8123.

What if I had exposure to someone with COVID-19 but I am fully vaccinated and not showing symptoms?

As of June 9, Washington County guidance states:

• If you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to quarantine after close contact unless you have symptoms. You are considered fully vaccinated if it has been at least 2 weeks since the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or at least two weeks since the only dose of Johnson and Johnson. 
• If you are not fully vaccinated and have close contact with a positive case, a 14-day quarantine is the safest approach and helps reduce spread from people without symptoms. We recommend a minimum of 10 days. There is a small but significant chance of transmission from days 11-14, so it’s important to continue to monitor your symptoms for a full 14 days if you end quarantine early.

Should I still get the vaccine, now that Oregon is open?

Yes. Vaccination is the safest way to get back to the things we love to do. Unvaccinated individuals are still at risk for contracting the virus.

Who is required to get the vaccine in Oregon?

The following must be vaccinated by October 18:

• K-12 staff and employees
• Healthcare workers
• State and executive branch employees

Who is eligible for the vaccine?

As of May 13,  all Oregonians 12 and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, only the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for those younger than 16.  Oregonians between 12-14 must have parental consent. Parental consent can be provided by:

• A signed consent form: Spanish or English from All4OR.org site 
• A written or typed note that includes the parent/guardian’s name, relationship to the young adult, date of birth, a statement saying they consent to the young adult being vaccinated and the parent/guardian signature. 

15-year-olds in Oregon do not need parental consent to receive the vaccine.

When will children under 12 years old be able to get the vaccine? 

Clinical trials are ongoing and there is no date set, however Pfizer has announced that they will request Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA for the vaccine to be approved for children ages 2 -11 in September.  Currently, only the Pfzier is approved for people under 18 years old.

How is it safe to lift restrictions when children cannot be vaccinated?

Oregon’s leaders have answered this question saying that restrictions have not gone away entirely. There is less COVID-19 in the area which has led to reopening, but families and individuals with children are expected to make decisions based on the vaccination status of everyone in their family: wear masks indoors and in large gatherings. Continue to distance and maintain healthy hand-washing habits. Masks are recommended for all people who are unvaccinated, it is simply not enforced by the state anymore.

How can I schedule an appointment to get the vaccine?

1. Call 211 or Text ORCOVID to 898211

2. If you are a patient of Virginia Garcia, call your nearest Virginia Garcia Health clinic to make an appointment. Spanish & English 

• Beaverton Wellness Center- (503) 352-6000
• Cornelius Wellness Center – (503) 359-5564
• Hillsboro Clinic – (503) 601-7400
• For more locations, click here (English)

3. OHSU Sites: The Hillsboro Stadium drive-through clinic will open until June 25. Beginning June 21, OHSU Washington County locations below will offer COVID-19 vaccine walk-up appointments:

• OHSU Pharmacy at Tuality, Downtown Hillsboro 
• Beaverton Clinic 

Or call 503-681-1600 to make an appointment at the OHSU Health Vaccination Site in Downtown Hillsboro, located at: Conference Rooms 1 and 2
335 S.E. Eighth Ave.
Hillsboro, OR 97123

Visit the OHSU vaccine page: Click Here for Spanish & Click Here for English

4. Make an appointment at a pharmacy participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. 

• Safeway/Albertsons
• Costco
• Walgreens
• Bi-Mart
• Ride Aid
• Fred Meyer
• CVS

5. Beaverton Resource Center at 13565 SW Walker Road. Most Fridays from July 16 through September 24 from 9 am – 1 pm. Click Here for Spanish or Click Here for English

Get more help: “How to find a COVID-19 Vaccine in Oregon”

• Click here for Spanish 
• Click here for English

Or, Click here to Find a Vaccine Near You

Are all of the vaccines safe? 

Yes. Thanks to advances in medicine, scientists were able to create and test a vaccine quickly. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requires rigorous safety testing before it will approve any vaccine. Tens of thousands of people from many backgrounds, races, and ages, including Oregonians, participated in vaccine testing. There are currently three vaccines being distributed in Oregon that have been approved as safe by the FDA. Learn more about the safety of the vaccine by clicking here for Spanish or here for English.

Some rare complications and risks have been reported to FDA:

In early July, the FDA added the risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) to its fact sheet for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, after 100 reports of GBS, a condition that damages nerve cells, were filed. The risk is small and the 100 reports were out of 12 million doses. Most people recover from GBS and it has also been associated with the influenza vaccine. 

The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine was reapproved for use in Oregon on April 24 after the FDA reviewed the data and decided that the benefits far outweigh the risks. The vaccine now comes with a warning that blood clots as a result of taking it may occur but they are very rare. The vaccine was temporarily paused after six cases of a severe blood clot occured in people who had received the vaccine. The complication was rare, occurring in six out of over 6 million people who had received the vaccine.

Do I get to choose which vaccine I get?

No. Vaccines will be distributed as they arrive in the State. At this point, all of the vaccines are safe and it does not matter which one you get.  If you have concerns, speak with a medical health professional. Side effects are normal.

What are the vaccines available?

There are three vaccines available in the US that have been approved for Emergency Use by the FDA.

Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine is a single shot and clinical trials show that it is 66.3% effective in preventing the virus. It is highly effective in preventing hospitalization and death. This vaccine is for people 18 and older. Learn More. (Spanish & English)

The Pfizer is a mRNA vaccine requiring two shots, 21 days apart and is for people 16 and older. Clinical trials showed the vaccine to be 95% effective in preventing COVID-19. The vaccine is not a live virus and will not give patients COVID-19. Learn More. (Spanish & English)

The Moderna vaccine is a mRNA vaccine requiring 2 shots, 28 days apart and is for people 18 and older. Clinical trials showed Moderna’s vaccine to be 94.1% effective in preventing COVID-19. The vaccine is not a live virus and will not give patients COVID-19. Learn More. (Spanish & English)

Learn more about mRNA vaccines

Where can I get tested for COVID-19? 

Virgina Garcia is testing existing patients or migrant & seasonal farmworkers. 

• VG Hillsboro Clinic – (503) 601-7400
• VG Cornelius Wellness Center – (503) 359-5564

For more locations & information visit Virginia Garcia’s COVID-19 page

• Neighborhood Health Center Hillsboro Clinic at 266 W Main Street, Hillsboro OR – drive-up testing by appointment. Call (503 ) 941-3016
• Rite Aid Pharmacy at 12575 SW Walker Rd. Beaverton, OR. Schedule an appointment online here.
• Tuality Physicians at 900 SE Oak St. #202 Hillsboro, OR
• Schedule an online appointment. (Spanish & English)

There are more locations. See a full list of testing sites in Washington County (Spanish & English)

Visit the OHA testing site locator for statewide locations. (Spanish & English)

Can you get reinfected with COVID-19?

Yes.

Can I get the vaccine if I’ve already had COVID-19?

Yes, but many providers advise you to wait 90 days after infection to get the vaccine.

How long will immunity last post-infection?

Right now, experts are seeing that immunity lasts anywhere from 3 months to 7 months. The vaccine aims to protect the body for longer.

Why should I get a COVID-19 vaccination? 

Vaccination is a safe, effective and reliable way to prevent getting infected with COVID-19. It’s the best tool we have to help us end the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon. By getting vaccinated, wearing masks, washing our hands, staying physically distant and avoiding large indoor gatherings, we can help stop the spread. If enough of us get vaccinated, we can achieve community immunity and the virus will not spread quickly. 

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe? 

Yes. Thanks to advances in medicine, scientists were able to create and test a vaccine quickly. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requires rigorous safety testing before it will approve any vaccine. Tens of thousands of people from many backgrounds, races, and ages, including Oregonians, participated in vaccine testing. There are currently three vaccines being distributed in Oregon that have been approved as safe by the FDA. 

What does the vaccine cost? 

It is free. Insurance is NOT required. Bring insurance information if you have it.

Why should I get the vaccine if the rest of my family cannot?

It’s normal to want to wait until your family is ready to get the vaccine, but studies show that the best thing you can do to protect your family is by getting the vaccine as soon as possible. The rest of the family will be eligible soon, but the vaccine can help save lives today if you are eligible.

I’m having trouble making an appointment.

If you need help, try calling Bienestar’s hotline at 503-693-4639 or Washington County’s helpline at 1-833-907-3520. They will respond within 3 business days to help you. 

More Washington County Vaccine Information (English & Spanish)

I am pregnant – when will I be eligible for a vaccine?

All pregnant women 16 and older are currently eligible. 

What are the side effects?

• Remember: Side effects are very NORMAL
• Most common: Sore arm, fatigue, headaches, chills, muscle pain
• Less common: Fever and shivering
• Effects are more common after 2nd dose and typically last 1 or 2 days
• If you feel sick, know that means your immune system is working!

Can I have more information about the allergic reactions to the vaccine?

• Rate of reported allergic reaction – anaphylaxis – is rare, 11.1 cases for every million doses
• Sites will have epinephrine and you’ll be monitored for 15-30 minutes afterwards
• Do not get vaccine if you are allergic to Polysorbate or polyethylene glycol (PEG)

I’ve heard about vaccine scams – how do I know if I am being scammed?

So far, scams have not been reported in Oregon but here are tips to spot one from Oregon’s Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum:

1. If someone calls to offer an appointment for a payment, it is a scam. You cannot pay to get early access to the vaccine.
2. Anyone who wants money to put you on a list, make an appointment for you, or reserve a spot in line is a scammer. 
3. Remember that whether you are insured or not, you do not have to pay to get the vaccine.  
4. Ignore sales ads for the vaccine. The vaccine is only available through federal or state partners. You cannot buy it anywhere.
5. Nobody legitimate will call, text or email about the vaccine and ask for your Social Security number, bank account information or credit card number. 
6. A Social Security number is not required when registering for a vaccine appointment. Neither is payment or health insurance.

Once I am fully vaccinated, what will I be able to do?

First, fully vaccinated means it’s been two weeks since your second shot of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or 2 weeks since your single shot of the J&J vaccine. Once you are fully vaccinated, you can gather indoors with others who are also vaccinated without masks and you do not need to get tested for COVID-19 unless you show symptoms.  Get the full list of CDC guidelines. (Spanish & English)

What do local experts say about the vaccine? 

Listen to “Ask an Expert with Virginia Garcia – COVID-19 Vaccine“ 

(Video in Spanish & Video in English)

What is the vaccine card?

Depending on where you get your vaccine, you may be given a vaccine card. It states the type of vaccine you received, the date of first vaccination and the date of your second vaccination. In some cases, this card will serve as your proof of vaccination and it will tell you when to get the second shot so hold on to it!

Does citizenship affect ability to get vaccinated? 

No. Undocumented or not, you should seek the care you need. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that getting treatment for COVID-19, including getting a vaccine, will not count as a public charge. Learn more: (English and Spanish)