COVID Vaccine Information
NHC is following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) guidelines for vaccine roll-out.
Now offering Pfizer’s pediatric COVID vaccine for kids 5-11.
The vaccination is free and may be given in the same appointment as a flu shot or other pediatric immunization. All children between the ages of 5 and 11 are eligible.
COVID-19 Booster doses are available for anyone 18 years or older.
You are eligible to receive a booster if you are 18 years or older, and completed your two-dose primary series (Pfizer or Moderna) at least six months ago OR your one-dose primary series (Johnson & Johnson) at least two months ago.
Third doses are still available.
Unsure if you qualify for a COVID-19 third dose? Our decision tree can help.
COVID-19 Testing is Available to Select Populations
Any member of the community may get a COVID-19 test at NHC, if they meet certain qualifications. These qualifications have been put in place to allow NHC to more fully meet the testing needs of our patients who have been exposed to COVID or are experiencing COVID symptoms. Of note, we will not test for travel or return-to-work (after positive test) requirements. Read more about testing requirements.
Schedule vaccine appointments with ease in MyChart
All NHC patients who are MyChart users may elect to schedule their vaccination appointment using MyChart. If you do not have a MyChart account or if you would like to become an NHC patient, please contact us at 503.941.3197. You will be asked to leave a voicemail and someone will return your call shortly to assist.
Patients can also call 503.848.5847 to reach the COVID Hotline and schedule a COVID-19 vaccination, booster, or third dose appointment.
Travel and quarantine for patients & visitors: Before scheduling an appointment, NHC will ask patients if they have traveled internationally. If patients have traveled internationally, an appointment will only be made 4 days after returning but no COVID test is required.
Follow for more updates
NHC will be following federal guidelines for COVID-19 boosters and will not administer booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine outside of the federal guidelines.
You can also follow our Facebook and Twitter accounts for news and updates.
To learn more about Oregon’s vaccine availability and roll-out, visit the Oregon Health Authority’s web page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to get a COVID-19 booster dose?
Adults 18 and older may get booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, as long as their two-dose primary series was completed at least six months ago. Recipients of Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose vaccine already were cleared to get a booster at least two months after the initial shot.
Should I vaccinate my young child?
YES! All people 5 years of age and older will benefit from the vaccine. While children generally experience a milder illness than adults, there have been over 8300 hospitalizations and 94 deaths due to COVID in those ages 5-11. Even when they do not get severely ill, a child with COVID can spread the illness to others around them. Additionally, children who catch COVID could experience multiorgan inflammatory syndrome is a serious condition where different body parts become inflamed or chronic long COVID symptoms.
How effective is the vaccine for younger kids?
The vaccine is recommended, as children will still benefit from immunization. In addition, children (and adults) can get COVID again after a previous infection. A recent study showed unvaccinated people are 5x more likely to get COVID than a vaccinated person.
How is the COVID vaccine for 5 to 11-year-olds different from the vaccine for adults?
The dose for children is 1/3rd of the adult dose and was formulated with a different buffer solution. [It uses minimal amounts of tromethamine (tris) instead of phosphate-buffered saline to improve the vaccine’s stability.]
Who is eligible to get COVID-19 third dose?
If you are moderately to severely immunocompromised AND received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine you may be eligible. You need a total of three doses of the same mRNA vaccine – either Pfizer or Moderna. You should get a third dose of the vaccine at least 28 days after your second dose. All three doses count as your initial vaccine series. If you get a third dose, you do not need a booster shot. Find out if you are eligible for a third dose.
How much will the vaccine cost?
There is no charge to patients for the COVID-19 vaccine. Patient insurance information may be collected at your visit.
Which vaccine has full FDA approval?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration fully approved the vaccine that has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The fully approved vaccine is marketed as Comirnaty because as part of the approval process, the vaccine gets a brand name approved for use in the U.S.
I am high risk. Should I get the vaccine?
Yes. Adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19. We recommend that everyone, who is eligible, is vaccinated as soon as it becomes available.
Are there any known side effects?
Most reported side effects are sore arm, fatigue, and lightheadedness. It has been reported that individuals over the age of 65 have fewer side effects.
Please note: If you have allergies and own an EpiPen, NHC recommends bringing your EpiPen with you to your vaccination appointment.
Can infants or young children get the vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the vaccination for children ages 5 to 11.
Do you have to get the vaccine to travel?
You will need to contact your travel provider, airline, or destination for this answer.Note that NHC does not do COVID Testing for travel purposes. Click here for more safety information on traveling.
Can my employer require a COVID-19 vaccine?
According to the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, employers may require workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine — with some exceptions. Ask your employer what their requirements are. Learn more.
Can you still get COVID-19 after getting the vaccine?
Just as you can get the flu after you’ve received a flu shot, there is also a chance you can get COVID-19 after you’ve received both doses of the vaccine, but all currently authorized COVID vaccines are 85% – 98% effective at preventing severe disease and hospitalizations.
I'm pregnant. Can I get the vaccine?
Pregnant people are at increased risk for severe illness or adverse pregnancy outcomes from COVID-19. If you are pregnant, we encourage you to get vaccinated.
If you have questions about vaccinations and pregnancy, please contact your primary care provider. You can also learn more by visiting the CDC’s website.
How does the COVID-19 vaccine impact my DNA?
The vaccine does not affect or alter your DNA in any way.
Messenger RNA vaccines (mNRA vaccines) are a new type of vaccine that teach your cells how to make a piece of protein. The mNRA shot does not get into the nucleus of the cell, where your DNA is kept.
Learn more about how mRNA vaccines work.
Can I get COVID-19 from the vaccine?
No. According to the CDC, mRNA vaccines do not use the live virus that causes COVID-19, so they cannot give you COVID-19. Learn more.
If I've already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated?
Yes. CDC recommends that you get vaccinated even if you have already had COVID-19 because you can be diagnosed more than once. While you may have some short-term antibody protection after recovering from COVID-19, we don’t know how long this protection will last.
Is it safe to get a COVID-19 vaccine if I have an underlying medical condition?
Yes. COVID-19 vaccination is especially important for people with underlying health problems like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and obesity. People with these conditions are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
