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Public health officials outline influenza, RSV and COVID-19 guidance ahead of respiratory season
Summary
Deschutes County public health leaders presented local respiratory‑season data and vaccine guidance Oct. 8, urging eligible residents to consider influenza, RSV and COVID‑19 vaccines, describing who is at highest risk and explaining recent federal and regional guidance changes that affected vaccine availability.
Deschutes County public health officials presented an update on local respiratory‑season trends and vaccine guidance during the Oct. 8 board meeting, summarizing last season’s laboratory data, current local test positivity and the 2025–26 vaccine guidance for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID‑19.
Heather Kaiser, public health director, introduced Sarah Van Meter, immunization coordinator, and Dr. Richard Fawcett, the county health officer and infectious‑disease specialist, who reviewed local PCR test positivity from area labs and urged residents to use county resources to stay informed.
Officials noted that 2024–25 influenza activity locally peaked in mid‑ to late December, when as many as 29 percent of PCR tests were positive at the peak, with a sustained season into March…
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