Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

All people in Oregon age 5 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Hillsboro Medical Center

Those 12+ can make an appointment by calling your Hillsboro Medical Center primary care clinic, if you have one. If you don’t have a primary care provider, you can start care and set up a vaccine appointment at the same time:  Call 503-681-1600.

OHSU Health pharmacies

COVID-19 vaccines are by appointment only at OHSU Health pharmacies, including the OHSU Pharmacy in the 7th Avenue Medical Plaza at 333 SE 7th Avenue in Hillsboro. Appointments can be made by calling the pharmacy where you would like to be vaccinated.

Other locations

Use Vaccines.gov to find a location near you, then call or visit their website to make an appointment. Here are some pharmacy sites with walk-in vaccinations and same-day appointments:

• Albertsons/Safeway
• Bi-Mart
• Costco
• CVS
• Fred Meyer
• Health Mart
• QFC
• Rite-Aid
• Walgreens
• Walmart

OHSU Health is currently providing vaccinations for children  in some of our clinics, at various community events and at our waterfront site. Find out how to make an appointment.

Reach the OHSU call center at 833-OHSU-CCC (833-647-8222), weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hillsboro Medical Center recognizes that support from friends and family is an important part of healing. In light of the coronavirus, we have made temporary changes to our visitor policy to keep everybody safe.

Here is the current visitor policy:

• One well visitor per day for most adults in the hospital and in outpatient clinics; this includes day surgery/procedure area, and if roomed in the emergency department (ED)
• Two well visitors per day for most pediatric patients in the hospital and outpatient clinics; this includes day surgery/procedure area, and if roomed in the ED
• Support persons for patients with disabilities will continue to be limited to three per day (one at a time). A support person for patients with disabilities is not considered a visitor and, therefore, would be allowed in addition to allowed visitors in the hospital and ED.

Visitors must comply with the following:

Vaccinated or COVID tested: All visitors and support persons will be expected to be vaccinated or have a “not detected” COVID-19 result from a test taken within the previous 72 hours

Mask requirements: Everyone age 2 and older must wear a mask in the hospital.

Download what masks are acceptable and unacceptable for patients, staff and visitors (PDF) »

Symptom screening: All visitors will be screened for the symptoms of COVID-19 and obtain a visitor sticker. Visitors should display their screening sticker in a visible location at all times while in the hospital.

Limit movement in hospital: Visitors are expected to limit their movement around buildings and remain within the patient room. You may be asked to wait at home or outside the building for patients to arrive in their rooms.

In addition, open treatment areas and waiting rooms where physical distancing is not possible may also be restricted. If appropriate distancing cannot be maintained, you may be asked to wait elsewhere.

People with disabilities can have a support person at their bedside around the clock, in accordance with state law, and will be restricted to three people in a 24-hour period. Only one visitor may be present at bedside at a time.

We are open for all cases, while maintaining physical distancing and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). You can check the status of your care on MyChart.

Most clinics have returned to their normal hours 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. There are a few exceptions including:

• Immediate Care: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Virtual visits are also available.
• Rehabilitation in Hillsboro: 6:15 a.m. – 7 p.m.,  M-Th; closes at 6 p.m. on Friday
• Rehabilitation in Forest Grove: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. M, W, Th, F; 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tues.
• Primary care clinics have hours listed on their web pages. Virtual visits are also available.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, classes and events may be rescheduled for the health and safety of participants and instructors. Please check the Community Education listings regularly to view the status of each class.

Additional dose: When someone with a weakened immune system gets an additional dose of vaccine, it is not a booster. It is part of the first series of shots needed for the person to be fully vaccinated. Many people with impaired immunity did not have a full response to their first doses.

Booster shot: An additional dose is a booster when someone had a full response to vaccination, but effectiveness wanes over time. The booster re-energizes their immune response.

See our booster shot fact sheet. You qualify for a booster shot if you are 18 and older and:

• You completed Johnson & Johnson vaccination at least two months ago OR
• You completed Pfizer or Moderna vaccination at least six months ago.

Mixing and matching is allowed.

It’s important to know that for most people, COVID-19 vaccines are doing an excellent job of preventing severe illness or death from COVID-19. The virus is spreading and causing a crisis mostly because of unvaccinated people, not people who haven’t had boosters.

OHSU Health does NOT recommend ivermectin to treat COVID-19. Merck, the maker of ivermectin, warns against using it for COVID-19. In addition, the FDA and National Institutes of Health have not endorsed using it for COVID-19. Clinical trials (tests on people) have not shown that it’s effective for COVID-19.

Ivermectin is approved for use in people and some animals to treat some parasites. Humans should never take medications meant for animals. Taking ivermectin in any unapproved way could also cause serious harm.

Viruses change (mutate) over time. A new form is called a variant. The World Health Organization named omicron, a coronavirus variant, on Nov. 26, 2021, after it emerged suddenly. It was first identified in South Africa.

The WHO classified omicron as a “variant of concern.” That means omicron, also known as B.1.1.529, shows signs of changes that could make it more contagious or severe. The WHO names some variants after Greek letters to make them easier to discuss.

It’s important to understand that there is much to learn. The omicron variant was identified only in late November. But experts are concerned for reasons that include:

• Omicron spreads more easily than previous forms of the coronavirus.  One infected person may transmit it to seven other people. As of Dec. 20, nearly three in four new cases in the U.S. were caused by omicron.
• COVID-19 cases are increasing across the U.S. Delta is still the dominant variant, but scientists expect omicron to overtake it.
• Early evidence suggests that omicron causes milder disease for many — but not all — people. But faster spread means many more people will get infected than in earlier waves. So even if a smaller portion become severely ill, the total number could be high, and hospitals could see another crush of cases.
• Omicron, unlike delta, will affect many vaccinated as well as unvaccinated people. Omicron is better able to dodge vaccines. (Studies suggest vaccines protect against severe disease, though.) Booster shots appear to greatly help, but less than one-third of Oregon and U.S. adults have had one. Many children also remain unvaccinated.
• Health care workers themselves will be at risk, adding to their stress and exhaustion. Illness among workers would stretch already-shorthanded hospitals.
• A new surge would once again delay other patient care, increasing backlogs at Hillsboro Medical Center and other hospitals.

According to the CDC, these symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble breathing

Or at least two of the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell
• Nausea/vomiting
• Diarrhea

Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccines are currently approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup.

If you see emergency signs, call 911 or your emergency department. They are:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to awaken
• Bluish lips or face
• Other severe symptoms

• Stay home except to get medical care.
• Separate yourself from other people and pets in your home.
• Monitor your symptoms.
• Consider an OHSU Health virtual visit.
• If needed, contact your county health department.
• Do not go to any health care facility unless instructed, so you don’t spread the virus.

Get vaccinated: If you are 12 and over, getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19. All 3 approved vaccines have been proven safe and effective. Vaccines are highly effective against severe disease and hospitalization.

Wear a mask or face covering:Face coverings are required in Oregon for all indoor spaces (for example, grocery stores, restaurants, bars, retail stores, and more) at least until the state reaches a 70% vaccination rate. Once mask mandates are lifted, it is recommended that those who are not vaccinated continue to mask especially in crowded areas.

Wash your hands often: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have soap and water, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Avoid close contact: Stay at least 6 feet from other people. Read some tips for social distancing.

Cover coughs and sneezes: Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Throw the tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect: Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.

• How COVID-19 Spreads (CDC)
• What to do if you are sick (CDC)
• People who need to take extra precautions (CDC)
• COVID-19 travel advisories (CDC)
• Oregon Health Authority (OHA) information on COVID-19

• CDC COVID-19 Vaccination
• OHA COVID-19 Vaccine Information
• OHSU COVID-19 Vaccines: Information and Appointments

• COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions (OHA)
• Frequently Asked Questions (CDC)
• Q&A on Coronaviruses, World Health Organization