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SALEM — State health officials are recommending Oregonians 65 years and older get an additional dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, according to an announcement issued March 5 by the Oregon Health Authority.

A second dose of the updated vaccine has been available since October to people older than 6 months but younger than 65 and those who are immunocompromised. Paul Cieslak, the authority’s medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations, made the determination to expand eligibility Feb. 28. 

“Vaccine-induced immunity can wane over time, but a second dose restores that protection, which can help keep people in this particularly vulnerable group from being hospitalized or even dying,” Cieslak said in the announcement. 

Adults over 65 are eligible to get a second dose of the updated vaccine, which is available through Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Novavax, if it’s been at least four months since their first dose. Vaccination remains the best way people can protect themselves against the virus, the health authority said.

“While the state has seen a steady decline in COVID-19-related hospitalizations and percentage of positive COVID-19 tests since late December, the virus is still circulating briskly in Oregon communities,” the announcement said.

Vaccines can be obtained by contacting a health plan, health care provider, county public health clinic, federally qualified health center or pharmacy. People can also search for a clinic by ZIP code by visiting vaccinefinder.org or by calling 211 or visiting 211info.org.