Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

All people in Oregon age 12 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Hillsboro Medical Center

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.

You will need an appointment for our upcoming patient vaccine clinics.

OHSU Health pharmacies

You don’t need an appointment to get vaccinated at OHSU Health pharmacies including the one in the Tuality 7th Ave. Medical Plaza at 333 SE 7th Avenue in Hillsboro. The pharmacy will offer walk-in vaccines from opening until an hour before close.

Other locations

The Oregon COVID-19 Vaccine Spotter tool will help you look for appointments at Oregon pharmacies. 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

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, and the decision to restrict visitors reflects the gravity of the current phase of the pandemic. The highly infectious delta variant is driving a dramatic spike in cases throughout the region.

Here is the current visitor policy:

• No visitors: Adult patients (including oncology, day procedure/surgery, emergency department, ambulatory clinics), patients with COVID-19 and patients under investigation for COVID-19.
• One visitor: Post-partum labor and delivery patients, laboring patient with COVID-19, pediatric patients (including neonatal intensive care, pediatric patients with COVID-19, day procedure/surgery, oncology, emergency department, and ambulatory clinics).
• Two visitors: Adult and pediatric patients near death, actively laboring (non-COVID) patients, and adult and pediatric patients with COVID-19 near death.

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. The following are acceptable masks:

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: The FDA has approved a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for people with weakened immunity. OHSU is contacting eligible patients. Pharmacies at OHSU (Pfizer only) and in the community have doses. Additional doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are not yet approved. Learn more about additional doses.

Booster shot:The Biden administration has announced plans to offer booster shots to the general public starting Sept. 20. The FDA and CDC have notyet approved booster shots. They may narrow who can get a booster and/or change the timing. When shots are approved, OHSU will make them available. Learn more about booster shots.

Off-label shots: The FDA gave the Pfizer vaccine full approval for ages 16 and older (Pfizer is approved for ages 12-15 under emergency authorization). Though providers may now use the vaccine “off-label” (without specific FDA approval), OHSU is not offering off-label shots. OHSU will offer booster shots, and shots for children younger than 12, when the FDA approves them. Learn more about children and vaccines.

The FDA on Aug. 12 approved a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for some people with weakened immune systems. The CDC gave approval Aug. 13.

Shots will be available to people who have had an organ transplant or who have similarly impaired immunity. This could include people in cancer treatment or taking medications to suppress immunity.

Data show that vaccines have been less effective in people with weakened immune systems. This has made them more likely to have a breakthrough infection (getting COVID-19 after vaccination).

About 7 million U.S. adults (about 2.7%) have impaired immunity. Compared with other people, they are more likely to get severe illness from COVID-19. They are also more likely to spread the virus to others in their household.

The FDA is allowing third Pfizer and Moderna doses under expanded emergency authorizations. The Pfizer vaccine can be given to people ages 12 and older, Moderna to ages 18 and older.

The shots are considered safe.

Because of a lack of data, the FDA has not approved a second dose of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. If you had this vaccine and have a weakened immune system, OHSU recommends that you talk with your doctor. Your doctor can talk with you about whether you should get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine

The delta variant is a newer form of the coronavirus. Viruses change (mutate) over time. A new form is called a variant.

The delta variant spreads much more easily than previous forms of the coronavirus. Delta is about as contagious as chickenpox, the CDC says.

COVID-19 cases are surging. In late June, the U.S. saw days with fewer than 10,000 new cases. In early August, daily counts were eight times that. Oregon has also seen cases multiply. Hospitals are seeing spikes in COVID patients.

Vaccinated people can carry and spread the delta variant. Unlike with earlier forms of the virus, vaccinated people can carry high levels of delta in their noses and throats. They can also spread it. This is why the CDC changed mask advice July 27. It now advises everyone, including those who have been vaccinated, to wear masks in indoor public settings in areas with “substantial” or “high” spread.

The delta variant may cause more severe illness. A study in Scotland found that people infected with delta were about twice as likely to need hospital care as those infected with an earlier variant. Studies in Canada and Singapore also found evidence of more serious illness.

Get vaccinated: The vaccines available in the United States offer excellent protection against severe illness and death from the coronavirus, including delta. The CDC director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said in July that more than 97% of people entering the hospital with COVID were unvaccinated. Find a vaccine.

Get your second shot: If you got a first shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine but missed the recommended timeframe for a second shot, you can still get it. There’s no time limit on getting your second shot. It will increase your protection.

Wear a mask

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)
• How to prepare (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