Sept. 19, 2025

Dear ONA members, 

The Governors of Oregon, California, Hawaii, and Washington have formed the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) as a unified regional response to concerns regarding the CDC’s credibility and scientific integrity under its current leadership. ONA and our fellow American Nurses Association affiliates from these states sent a joint letter to Governor Tina Kotek thanking her for her public health leadership, which you can read here. 

The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) has jointly released its 2025–2026 respiratory virus season immunization recommendations. These recommendations reaffirm that vaccines continue to be effective protection against COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, particularly for high-risk groups such as older adults, young children, and those with chronic health conditions.

You can review the WCHA consensus recommendations here.

This announcement comes as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has been slow to issue federal guidance for COVID-19 vaccine protocols, leaving many providers and patients uncertain.

To provide additional clarity, Oregon’s Medical Board (OMB), Board of Nursing (OSBN), and Board of Pharmacy (OBOP) have issued state-specific guidance confirming provider authority to prescribe and administer COVID-19 vaccines within their professional scope of practice.

The Boards released a Joint Statement on Vaccine Administration with the following clarifications: 

• Prescriptive Authority: Providers may prescribe and administer COVID-19 vaccines for FDA-approved populations (65+ and high-risk individuals) using their clinical judgment to determine risk.
• Standing Orders & Protocols: Clinics should establish standing protocols or collaborative drug therapy management (CDTM) agreements for in-office administration.
• Nursing Scope of Practice: LPNs and RNs may administer COVID-19 vaccines with a valid prescription or standing order.
• Pharmacy Prescriptions: If a prescription is needed, include “to administer at pharmacy,” and for patients under 65, note “medically necessary” or list the relevant high-risk condition.
• Liability & Support: Providers acting within scope and following professional judgment will not face disciplinary action for vaccine prescribing or administration decisions.

You can read the full statement here. 

To avoid any confusion, here are top lines that you may share with your patients:

Who Can Get Vaccinated for COVID-19:

• COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone 6 months and older.
• Pharmacies may administer vaccines to individuals 7 years and older; children under 7 can be vaccinated at their provider’s office or local health department.

Coverage and Cost for COVID-19 Vaccines:

• Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurers continue to cover the updated COVID-19 vaccine at no cost.
• If your insurance is through a self-insured employer, check directly with your plan about coverage.

Information about Influenza and RSV Vaccines:

• Influenza: Annual vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
• RSV: Vaccination is available for infants, older adults (75+), and other at-risk populations as recommended by your provider.

And here is a FAQ with more information for the public.

By working together across state lines, the WCHA is ensuring consistent, science-based guidance for providers and clear, equitable access for patients throughout the respiratory illness season.

Thank you for your continued commitment to keeping our communities healthy!