2025-2026 COVID-19 Information

Current as of 9/29/2025

(We will continue to update this information as often as we receive new valuable information.)

Released on 9/29/25 : DCHS does NOT have the 2025-2026 COVID Vaccine in stock. Some local pharmacies and provider offices may have vaccine in stock. Access and populations served at local pharmacies may vary, please call ahead to ask about eligibility and whether they are currently requiring a prescription. 

Released on 9/19/2025 :  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices (ACIP) today unanimously recommended that vaccination for COVID-19 be determined by individual decision-making. This recommendation applies to all individuals ages six months and older. ACIP Recommends COVID 19 Immunization Based on Individual Decision Making

Released on 9/17/2025 : Consensus WCHA 2025-26 Respiratory Virus Season Immunization Recommendations 2 pager & West Coast Health Alliance Frequently Asked Questions for the Public Effective Sept. 17, 2025, you can get an updated COVID-19 vaccine without a prescription in Oregon. Check with your pharmacy for availability.

Released on 9/15/2025 : West Coast Health Alliance

Oregon has joined California, Washington, and Hawaii to form the West Coast Health Alliance. Together, we’re working to provide clear, science-based vaccine guidance for the upcoming respiratory virus season, including COVID-19, and to ensure people can access recommended vaccines easily and with confidence. Please see Governor Kotek’s Western Health Alliance press release from September 3, 2025 for more information.

For questions about West Coast Alliance, please contact Oregon Health Authority at; PHD.Communications@odhsoha.oregon.gov

What is new with this vaccine?

Updated 2025-26 COVID-19 Vaccines formula targets JN.1 or LP.8.1, which are Omicron subvariants

Three vaccines on the market:

  • Pfizer's COMIRNATY Covid-19 vaccine for those 5 years and older
  • Moderna's SPIKEVAX for those 6 months and older
  • Novavax's NUVAXOVID for those 12 years and older

 

Professional Organizations have released their own recommendations:

For Children:  American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently released a policy statement update regarding their 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for infants, children, and adolescents. The policy statement provides age-related breakdowns for four main demographics:

  • Completion of an initial vaccination series for everyone ages 6 -23 months of age, or a single dose for those under age 2 years who previously completed their initial series.
  • Two or more doses for children 6 months – 18 years of age who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
  • A single dose for all children and adolescents 2-18 years of age who are at high risk for severe COVID-19, residents of long-term care facilities or other congregate settings, persons who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19, or persons whose household contacts are at high risk for severe COVID-19
  • Children 2-18 years of age whose parent or guardian desires protection from COVID-19 for their child should be offered a single dose. 

 AAP 2025-2026 COVID Recommendations

For Pregnant Women:  The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

  • At any point during a pregnancy (when planning to become pregnant, in the postpartum period, or while lactating) women should receive the Covid-19 vaccine

 ACOG 2025-2026 COVID Recommendations

For Families:  The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccine:

  • Pregnant people against COVID-19 during any trimester or postpartum during lactation.
  • All children aged 6-23 months against COVID-19.
  • Children/teens aged 2 -18 years with a single dose of the COVID vaccine if in a high-risk group.
  • Children/teens aged 2-18 years in families who desire protection against COVID-19.
  • All adults 18 years and older, with an emphasis on adults aged 65 years and older, at increased risk for severe COVID-19 infection, and who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine.

AAFP 2025-2026 COVID Recommendations

Insurance Coverage

  • Insurance coverage decisions made by insurance companies are based on CDC recommendations, not solely FDA labeling approval/vaccine authorization
  • Please contact your insurance company to see if they plan on covering the 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 Illness in the Central Oregon Community

Please visit our Deschutes County Health Services Public Health Data and Reports webpage for our seasonal Respiratory Reports publications, as well as other data, reports and plans.

COVID-19 Guidance - Symptoms, Testing & Treatment

Symptoms - vary from mild to severe illness and there is a wide range of symptoms which may change with new COVID-19 variants, but typically appear 2-14 days after exposure and start as mild and may progress to more severe. Possible symptoms include (but aren't limited to):

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

 

Testing - Self-tests (at-home antigen tests) are available online or in pharmacies and retail stores, sometimes combined with Influenza A + B tests. If you have health insurance, it may reimburse the cost of purchasing self-tests. Visit FDA's website for a list of authorized tests.

Positive antigen results are accurate and reliable, however a single negative antigen test cannot rule out infection. If you get a negative test, to be confident you do not have COVID-19 the FDA recommends 2 negative antigen tests for individuals with symptoms, or 3 antigen tests for those without symptoms, performed 48 hours apart. A single NAAT test (performed by a healthcare provider) can be used to confirm an antigen test result.

 

Treatment - the FDA has authorized or approved several antiviral medications used to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people who are more likely to get very sick. Please visit the CDC Types of COVID-19 Treatment webpage for more information.

 

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