We're here for you through COVID-19 and beyond
Columbia Pacific CCO knows that you, our members, have many questions about COVID-19. We want to help you understand how to take precautions and how to access your benefits during this time. Health care providers are working hard to continue seeing patients, and your health is important to them. Here are some important things to know:
COVID-19 vaccine resources
Updates about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine You may have heard the good news — the FDA has approved multiple vaccines for emergency use. Studies have shown these vaccines are safe and effective. You may have questions about the vaccine.
In this section, you’ll find answers to these questions:
- What are the best places to find up-to-date information about the COVID-19 vaccine?
- Am I eligible for the vaccine?
- How do I schedule a vaccination?
- What should I do before and after I get the vaccine?
- Is the vaccine safe and effective?
- Where can I find other resources or information about the vaccines?
What are the best places to find up-to-date information about the COVID-19 vaccine?
Local counties, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer up-to-date information on the COVID-19 vaccines. You can find their public COVID-19 vaccine pages here:
- Clatsop County: co.clatsop.or.us/publichealth/page/covid-19-vaccine-survey
- Columbia County: columbiacountyor.gov/departments/PublicHealth/COVID-19Vaccine
- Tillamook County: tillamookchc.org
- OHA: covidvaccine.oregon.gov
- CDC: cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19
You can also call 211 (or TTY 711) for the latest information.
Am I eligible for the vaccine?
Everyone age 16 and over is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
How do I schedule a vaccination?
There are multiple ways to make an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine:
- OHA offers a webpage on ways to find the COVID-19 vaccine, which you can find here.
- Visit VaccineFinder.
- The federal government is supplying retail pharmacies in Oregon with 100 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine per week. Supplies are limited, and demand is high. Contact your local pharmacy for details on how to schedule an appointment:
If you have any questions about the vaccine related to your unique health condition, please contact your provider – they know your health best.
Many people are trying to find information right now, so please understand that wait times or website load times may be longer than normal.
What should I do before and after I get the vaccine?
- Have food and water beforehand.
- Wear clothes that allow you to remove or pull down your sleeve, in order to get the vaccine in your upper arm.
- Wear a face covering.
- Bring your Member ID card with you.
- After you receive the vaccine, you will need to wait for 30 minutes for monitoring.
- The whole appointment should take between 30 to 60 minutes.
- The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are given in two doses. The first shot helps your immune system recognize the virus, and the second strengthens the immune response.
- For those vaccines, ask about your second shot when you get the first shot.
- The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is given in a single dose.
- You will likely not have your choice of vaccine. Decisions about which vaccines are given to whom are based on availability.
- It takes time for your body to build immunity after your shot. You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your second dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine, or two weeks after your single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Is the vaccine safe and effective?
The FDA has approved multiple vaccines for emergency use. These vaccines are safe and effective.
- All emergency-approved COVID-19 vaccines had large-scale clinical trials. Tens of thousands of people received the vaccines during these trials — far more participants than were tested in most trials.
- Trial participants came from a range of diverse backgrounds.
- The FDA approved the vaccines for emergency use, after a careful review of the trial data.
- There were no serious safety issues found during any of the vaccine trials.
- The current available vaccines are Pfizer and Moderna. Out of an abundance of caution, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is currently on hold, by recommendation of the CDC. The FDA and the CDC are currently studying the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to ensure it is safe to use. Click here for more information.
Where can I find other resources or information about the vaccines?
The following materials are all in PDF format, so they can be easily downloaded and/or printed.