Public Health
Public Health News
KHN: Why the CDC has recommended new COVID boosters for all
*This article is reproduced in partnership with Kaiser Health News; you can view the article on their website khn.org* by Arthur Allen Everyone over the age of 6 months should get the latest Covid-19 booster, a federal expert panel recommended in September after hearing an estimate that universal vaccination could prevent 100,000 more hospitalizations each […]
Overdose-Prevention Drug Narcan to be Sold Over the Counter
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved selling the overdose-reversing drug Naloxone, also known as Narcan, over the counter. Narcan is a life-saving drug that can prevent death in a person who has overdosed on opioids. It comes in the form of a nasal spray, and temporarily reverses the effects of opiates in the […]
KHN: End of COVID Emergency Will Usher in Changes Across Health System
***The following article is republished from Kaiser Health News*** The Biden administration’s decision to end the covid-19 public health emergency in May will institute sweeping changes across the health care system that go far beyond many people having to pay more for covid tests. In response to the pandemic, the federal government in 2020 suspended […]
Mask Mandate Ends for Cow Creek Health and Wellness
Beginning the first week of April, the State of Oregon, as well as the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, will lift face-mask requirements in healthcare facilities that had been in place since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting April 3, the Oregon Health Authority will no longer require workers, patients […]
Public Health to Close Mobile Vaccine Site, Boosters Still Available
As local communities in Douglas County learn to live alongside the risks of COVID-19, Cow Creek Public Health will close the mobile vaccine drive-thru site in Roseburg that has administered thousands of doses of COVID vaccine to community members. The mobile vaccine drive-thru site, operated at 2360 NE Stephens Street, will close following normal hours […]
Omicron-Updated COVID-19 Boosters and $20 Gift Cards at CCPH
Cow Creek Public Health has adjusted its vaccine schedule and will administer doses of the newly updated COVID-19 booster, redesigned to protect against prevalent strains of the virus, to all members of the community five days a week. As a way for the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians to say thank you […]
Cow Creek Public Health Starts COVID Vaccines for Kids Under 5 Friday
Cow Creek Public Health will begin vaccinating children under the age of 5 for COVID-19 on Friday. After more than two years of waiting for parents and kids, experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration have authorized shots for the youngest children. Both Moderna and Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are […]
Resources for Finding Baby Formula
Below is a letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Dear Tribal Leaders, Public Health Officials, and Indian Country Professionals: President Biden has directed his Administration to work urgently to ensure that during the Abbott Nutrition voluntary recall, infant formula is safe and available for families across the country. For tools and […]
COVID booster shots for kids now available
Cow Creek Public Health will begin administering COVID-19 booster shots to kids between ages 5-11 beginning Tuesday, May 31. The Centers for Disease Controls recommends everyone ages 5 and older receive at least one booster dose following their primary vaccine series (first and second doses of mRNA vaccine). The CDC also recommends adults age 50 […]
Boosters Recommended; Public Health Restarts Mobile Site
Another COVID-19 variant is circulating in the U.S., so Cow Creek Public Health is responding by renewing efforts to administer vaccines and booster doses to anyone eligible. In late March, the Centers for Disease Control recommended a second COVID-19 booster (fourth dose) for certain groups of adults. It is recommended that the following groups receive […]
Order More COVID Home Tests from U.S. Government
A second series of free, at-home COVID-19 self tests are available to order from the U.S. Government, federal officials announced in early March. Starting in January, each household was allowed to request four COVID home tests, ordered and shipped for free. Most tests were delivered within two weeks, during the height of the Omicron variant […]
Order free COVID self-tests now from U.S. Government
Every American household can now order four at-home COVID testing kits per month, free of charge, from the U.S. Government. Anyone who wants to order should visit the COVIDtests.gov website, and click on “Order Free At-Home Tests.” The link directs to a U.S. Postal Service site, where each family can place an order with a […]
Should you upgrade your mask? Advice from KHN
Article by: Victoria Knight, Kaiser Health News The highly transmissible omicron variant is sweeping the U.S., causing a huge spike in covid-19 cases and overwhelming many hospital systems. Besides urging Americans to get vaccinated and boosted, public health officials are recommending that people upgrade from their cloth masks to higher-quality medical-grade masks. But what does […]
OHA: What to do after testing for COVID-19
The following information is from Oregon Health Authority. OHA now allows for self-reporting of positive COVID-19 test results from at-home testing kits. Visit the website here, Oregon.gov/positivecovidtest, or call their hotline at 1-866-917-8881. You can also contact Cow Creek Public Health for questions about COVID-19, vaccines or isolation by calling (541)-677-5535.
OHA: How to quarantine if you were exposed COVID-19
The following information is from Oregon Health Authority. OHA now allows for self-reporting of positive COVID-19 test results from at-home testing kits. Visit the website here, Oregon.gov/positivecovidtest, or call their hotline at 1-866-917-8881. You can also contact Cow Creek Public Health for questions about COVID-19, vaccines or isolation by calling (541)-677-5535.
OHA: How to isolate if you have COVID-19
The following information is from Oregon Health Authority. OHA now allows for self-reporting of positive COVID-19 test results from at-home testing kits. Visit the website here, Oregon.gov/positivecovidtest, or call their hotline at 1-866-917-8881. You can also contact Cow Creek Public Health for questions about COVID-19, vaccines or isolation by calling (541)-677-5535.
Self-report COVID positive test results online to OHA
Oregon Health Authority has created a website and a hotline for Oregonians to self-report positive test results from at-home COVID tests. Self-reporting COVID-19 to OHA is not required by individuals; rather the new website and hotline will act as a tool for public health experts to help quickly identify large clusters of outbreaks and prevent […]
It’s important that everyone is vaccinated and boosted to achieve community immunity. Please continue safety measures to keep the virus from spreading: wear a mask in crowded areas or where community transmission of COVID-19 is high, wash your hands, and stay home when you’re sick.
If you are a Cow Creek Tribal member, you are able to make a one-time order of COVID supplies free of charge. Learn more about the program here (Tribal login required to view).
To learn more about ordering free COVID self tests from the U.S. Government, click here.
Do you have questions about vaccines, boosters, testing or COVID in general? Get in touch with Cow Creek Public Health by calling (541) 677-5535. If you have to leave a voicemail, we will call you back by the next business day if it is after-hours/weekend.
How to Get Boosted/Vaccinated
The FDA and CDC have approved and recommended that anyone age 5 and older who received their primary vaccine series should receive the updated bivalent COVID-19 booster in order to protect against emerging strains of the virus, including Omicron.
In order to find out if you or someone you know is up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, click here to visit the CDC website and scroll down to “Find Out When You Can Get Your Booster” to begin their step-by-step process.
Effective January 1, 2023: Due to decreased demand, the Cow Creek Public Health Mobile Vaccine Drive-Thru Site is closed. Patients of Cow Creek Health and Wellness are able to make an appointment to receive a vaccine, booster or flu shot:
- North Clinic: 2589 NW Edenbower Boulevard in Roseburg
- South Clinic: 480 Wartahoo Lane in Canyonville
- Call (541) 672-8533 to schedule:
- Press #3 for North Clinic
- Press #4 for South Clinic
Vaccines/Boosters Available:
- Pfizer and Moderna (adults 18+)
- Pfizer (ages 12-17)
- Pfizer (ages 5-11)
- Pediatric Pfizer and Moderna (ages 6-months to 5-years)
- Novavax (non mRNA option)
Please bring photo I.D. as well as CDC-issued vaccine card for updating. Please anticipate up to a 30-minute wait time following vaccination.
All individuals will be required to sign a consent form. All individuals ages 5-14 must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign a consent form.
How to Get Tested
Rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 is available for:
- Cow Creek Tribal members, members of other federally recognized Tribes, and their direct household members
- Employees of Cow Creek and affiliated Tribal businesses and their direct household members
- Existing patients of Cow Creek Health & Wellness Centers
Testing is provided at:
- Cow Creek Health and Wellness Center clinic locations
- Roseburg: 2589 NW Edenbower Boulevard
- Canyonville: 480 Wartahoo Lane
- Monday through Friday 8AM-5:00PM
- Appointments required: Call (541) 672-8533 and press #3 for North Clinic and #4 for South Clinic
Testing should be utilized for symptomatic individuals, those who have been exposed to COVID-19, or those who need clearance to return to work.
All individuals should expect to wait 30 minutes for results. There is no testing for individuals under the age of 2.
More Information
Coronavirus Variants
Are there any side-effects? The current Moderna studies show that the most common side effects included soreness, redness, or swelling around the injection site, fever, fatigue, body aches, or headache. There were no serious adverse events. These are similar side effect that you see in other vaccines.
Will I have to pay to get vaccinated? Vaccine doses are provided to the Tribe free of charge and will be given to people at no cost. However, the Tribe will charge insurance an administration fee for giving the shots to someone. But the patient will not pay any out-of-pocket cost to receive the vaccine.
Can I catch COVID-19 from the vaccine? No, this vaccine only uses a sub-part of the virus’s structure. The vaccine does not contain live virus.
Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe? COVID-19 vaccines have been evaluated extensively in large-scale clinical trials that involved more people than a typical vaccine trial. These trials involved adults from a diverse background and inclusive range of races, ethnicities and ages. COVID-19 vaccines are vetted for safety and efficacy by three independent scientific groups, including the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
How does the vaccine work? The vaccine is made from messenger RNA, or mRNA, which is only a sub-part of the COVID-19 virus. Inclusion of the mRNA material from the virus gives our cells instructions for how to fight the virus if we are infected in the future. The Moderna vaccine is reportedly about 95% effective after two doses.
Will I still need to wear a mask after I get the COVID-19 vaccination? The vaccine will keep you from getting sick, but it still may be possible to get, carry, and transmit the virus. It will also take time for us to get everyone vaccinated. We don’t yet know when we’ll be able to stop wearing masks and maintaining physical distance, but experts will continue to watch the spread of the disease in Oregon. Only when the spread of disease is low enough, these additional protective measures can be stopped.
I’ve already had COVID-19 and recovered. Do I still need to get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine when it’s available? Yes, CDC recommends that COVID-19 vaccination can be given regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection. However, anyone currently infected with COVID-19 should wait to get vaccinated until after their illness has resolved and after they have met the criteria to discontinue isolation. Additionally, people with a recent infection may delay vaccination until the end of that 90-day period, as immunity to the virus is still present from infection.
Does COVID-19 infection provide longer immunity than the COVID-19 vaccine? The protection someone gains from having an infection (called natural immunity) varies depending on the disease, and it varies from person to person. Current evidence suggests that reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 is uncommon in the 90 days after the initial infection. Regarding vaccination, we won’t know how long immunity lasts until we have more data on how long it works. However, scientists are currently working on this information now, and CDC will keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available.
What are the side effects of the vaccine? To date, more than 55 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The real-world experience with the vaccine seems to reflect what researchers expected. For starters, side effects tend to be more common after the second dose of the vaccine.
On the arm where you got the shot:
- Pain
- Swelling
Throughout the rest of your body:
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Chills
- Headache
Side effects are typically more pronounced among younger people than older people, likely because their immune systems are more robust.
To reduce pain and discomfort where you got the shot:
- Apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area.
- Use or exercise your arm.
To reduce discomfort from fever:
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Dress lightly.
