COVID-19 Information & Updates

August 2021:

In regard to the CDC recommendation for a COVID booster vaccine, our rheumatologist is recommending we have our patients get their COVID antibodies tested to see if they have low or negative antibodies to show qualification for needing a booster vaccine. If you are a patient of our clinic, and believe you qualify for a booster vaccine, please give our clinic a call to discuss moving forward with this blood draw test.

June 2021:

We are seeing patients in the clinic again! Please give us a call to make an appointment, thank you!

May 2021:

• For Orencia SQ medication, we recommened to hold the med one week prior to and one week after first COVID vaccine only. No interruption around recieving the second vaccine.

• For Orencia IV medication, we recommend that the first COVID vaccination will occur four weeks after last infusion. Postpone the next infusion by one week. No adjustments needed for the second vaccine dose.

• For JAK inhibitor medications (Xeljanz, Olumiant, Rinvoq), we recommend to hold the medication 1 week after each vaccine dose.

• For methotrexate medication, we recommend holding methotrexate for 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine (just like we would recommend with other vaccines). Hold methotrexate for 2 weeks after receiving each dose of the vaccine.

• For Rituxan infusion medication, we recommend patients should plan to receive their vaccine at the end of their dosing cycle (about 4-6 months after their last Rituxan infusion, depending on their Rituxan infusion schedule) and should get both doses of the vaccine done before their next Rituxan infusion.

If you have an autoimmune disease and are managed at Oregon Rheumatology Clinic and are not taking the above medications, we are recommending that, from a rheumatologic perspective, you are a candidate to take the vaccine. As far as any non-rheumatologic concerns you have (allergies, etc.), please discuss these with your primary care provider or other specialists.

We recommend to visit Creakyjoint and ACR for further updates on COVID-19 and rheumatology insight:

• Creaky Joints

• American College of Rheumatology

December 2020:

We at Oregon Rheumatology Clinic have carefully reviewed the rapidly developing COVID-19 vaccine, including the FDA, EUA approval of the Pfizer vaccine as well as the upcoming evaluation of the Moderna vaccine. We recognize that patients with autoimmune diseases were not studied in these trials but that quality data on patients with autoimmune diseases will not be available for many months (until late 2021). However, the risk of contracting COVID-19 appears to be much higher than the risk of taking a vaccine. None of the current vaccines are live vaccines and all can be taken with most of the immunologic medications we prescribe without interruption.

Please be aware we currently do not have the vaccine available at our office.

We are still following the procedures posted in April listed below.

April 2020:

We have been closely following the news as we assume you have been too. We want to do our part to help keep our community safe during COVID-19.

With that said, our clinic will remain open at this time. However, we will be operating on a limited daily schedule. 

Our infusion suite will continue to operate as normal.

For the safety of our patients and staff, please adhere to the following guidelines:

 IF YOU HAVE HAD ANY OF THE FOLLOWING, WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE RESCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT VIA TELEPHONE FROM HOME:

• A fever within the last 24 hours

• Cough

• Contact with individuals showing symptoms of illness including a fever and cough within the last 24 hours

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the American College of Rheumatology’s informational page: https://www.rheumatology.org/announcements     

Again, our goal is to limit exposure and help prevent the spread of contagious illnesses.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call our office at 971-228-8855.