As Oregon faces its highest measles count since 1991, health authorities urge families to vaccinate early against flu, RSV, COVID-19, and measles before the winter season increases indoor transmission risk.
Health officials in Oregon are urging families to think about vaccinations now, before the autumn and winter months bring more indoor mixing and a higher risk of respiratory illness.
At a media briefing marking the start of the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season, Dean Sidelinger, Oregon’s state epidemiologist, said the first week of October is typically when flu and RSV activity begins to rise. He pointed to a recent uptick in positive flu tests, with positivity at 3.2%, and said transmission remains low for now but could increase quickly. Sidelinger also noted that a summer surge in COVID-19 activity, a pattern seen in recent years, has levelled off, although it is not yet clear whether it has peaked.
The warning comes as Oregon is also contending with a serious measles situation. State health officials said the state has recorded 58 cases this year, the highest total since 1991 and the most since measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. They said 96% of those cases involved people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown. In separate public notices earlier this year, the Oregon Health Authority warned of measles exposure sites in Clackamas County, underlining how quickly the virus can spread once it reaches a community.
Doctors speaking at the briefing stressed that vaccination remains the most effective way to limit severe illness, hospital stays and disruptions to work and school. Dawn Nolt, a paediatric infectious diseases specialist at OHSU’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, said families have a chance to make the season less severe by acting early. Leona O’Keefe, medical director of clinical services at Jackson Care Connect, described how preventable infections can become especially difficult for families in rural areas, where access to hospitals and specialists may mean long travel times and added strain.
The Oregon Health Authority says flu vaccination is recommended annually for everyone aged six months and older, and it encourages families to pair shots with basic precautions such as washing hands, covering coughs and staying home when ill. Officials also said people should review protection against COVID-19, RSV and measles, especially infants, older adults and those with underlying health conditions, who face a greater risk of complications. With holidays approaching, public health leaders are trying to get ahead of the season before viruses gain momentum indoors.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
