Oregon
Flu Vaccination Rate Continues to Drop Across Oregon
This story was produced by the Oregon Journalism Project, a nonprofit newsroom covering the state.
Oregon’s flu season is closing in on its brutal end, which left many family members dodging each other at holiday gatherings to stay safe.
Nationally, less of the population is getting flu vaccinations, and Oregon followed that trend. This season, only 30.7% of Oregonians got the flu vaccine, 10,000 fewer than last year—a rate about one-third lower than the national average.
The low rate is unsurprising. Oregon has one of the lowest rates for childhood vaccinations in the nation, for example, with nearly 1 in 10 kindergarten students opted out by their parents, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
An OJP analysis shows Multnomah and Washington counties had the highest flu vaccination rates in the state, each around 35%. Counties in Southeast Oregon—Grant and Malheur—had the lowest, at 16% and 17.4%, respectively. So far this season, all of Oregon’s 36 counties but Deschutes and Umatilla showed a drop in vaccination rates compared with last year’s complete flu season. Tillamook had the largest decrease: 4 percentage points, down to 24%.
Tillamook public health officials are concerned, but not surprised that the county mirrors the national drop in flu vaccination rates, says Camille Sorensen, the county’s public health communications manager. The county tried to protect more residents this season, she says, by hosting several low-barrier vaccination events.
Sorensen pointed to two reasons for the drop in her county, ones that likely played a role across the state:
Immigration and Customs Enforcement action around the state may have scared off some groups of people from attending vaccination events or clinics.
Second, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under the leadership of vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has promulgated inaccurate and inconsistent information about the safety of vaccines.
“There’s a lot of confusion…regarding vaccination efficacy or other concerns about potential side effects,” Sorensen says.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the vaccine rate for this season was 22% to 34% effective in preventing doctor’s visits for adults and 30% effective in preventing hospitalizations. While the vaccine wasn’t as effective as in previous years, it remains the best way to avoid getting severely sick or hospitalized, according to OHA.
This season, the flu caused the deaths of about 10,000 people nationwide, mostly elderly, but also more than 44 children, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. The association said it was the worst outbreak in nearly two decades.
In Oregon’s TriMet region (Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties), there have been 934 hospitalizations for the flu so far this year. Last year at this time, there were 1,634, or 75% more, likely because last year’s bug was more severe.
Flu shots are easier to access than many other vaccines. Most people with health insurance can walk into any drug store and get immunized. Oregonians without insurance can get a flu shot at community clinics or through their public health department.
>>> To learn more about finding a vaccine clinic near you, visit the Oregon Health Authority’s “Getting Vaccines in Oregon” webpage,
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Entering the 2026 college football season, the Oregon Ducks are looking to not only win their first national championship in program history but also their second Big Ten title in the last three seasons.
When the Ducks joined the Big Ten in 2024, they kicked off their inaugural season in the conference in style, finishing the regular season undefeated at 13-0. This regular season was concluded with a thrilling 45-37 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Big Ten championship game.
Eug 040522 Lanning 02 | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
The Ohio State Buckeyes, however, got revenge for their loss to the Ducks at Autzen Stadium earlier in the regular season, beating Oregon 41-21 in the CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl. Entering the 2026 season, here’s a look at the Ducks’ chances of winning the Big Ten for the second time.
Oregon Ducks Big Ten Title Odds: Who’s The Biggest Threat?
According to the latest betting odds by FanDuel Sportsbook, the Ducks have +270 odds to win the Big Ten championship this season. The one team ahead of them is the Ohio State Buckeyes at +190, who, believe it or not, are in search of their first Big Ten title since 2020. The Buckeyes were upset by the Indiana Hoosiers 13-10 in the Big Ten championship last season.
Among the top teams in the Big Ten next season, Ohio State poses the biggest threat to the Ducks’ chances of not only winning a conference title but also the national championship. The Buckeyes and Ducks will face off in what could be the game of the year in Columbus on Nov. 7.
As exciting as this matchup will be for college football fans, it likely won’t be the only one between the Buckeyes and Ducks. Regardless of which team wins the Nov. 7 showdown in Columbus, the Buckeyes and Ducks could match up again in the Big Ten title game and in the CFP.
Other Teams That Pose a Threat to Oregon
While the Buckeyes are the main threat to the Ducks’ Big Ten title aspirations, other teams will be worth watching. One of those teams is the defending national champions, the Indiana Hoosiers.
Despite the key losses this offseason, which include Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, coach Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers restocked talent with the addition of TCU Horned Frogs transfer quarterback Josh Hoover and Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Nick Marsh.
The only two losses that the Ducks suffered last season came against the Hoosiers. If the two face off in the Big Ten championship, Indiana looks to continue its dominance over the Ducks. The Hoosiers and Ducks don’t play each other during the regular season.
The USC Trojans, whom the Ducks will face at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Sept. 26, also look to knock off Oregon in what should be one of the top games of the first month of the college football season. Oregon coach Dan Lanning is undefeated 2-0 against USC’s Lincoln Riley and looks to extend the Ducks’ winning streak against the Trojans to five games.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 14, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 14 drawing
02-04-10-48-56, Mega Ball: 22
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 14 drawing
1PM: 6-3-6-3
4PM: 7-0-0-9
7PM: 2-0-6-0
10PM: 2-5-1-5
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Oregon Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
- Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oregon editor. You can send feedback using this form.
DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. — Oregon State Police are asking for additional witnesses to come forward after a three-vehicle crash on Highway 20E in Deschutes County left two people seriously injured.
Troopers responded at 12:47 p.m. Friday, July 10, to the crash near milepost 41. A preliminary investigation found a westbound 2013 black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck pulling a single-axle utility trailer attempted to pass a black Dodge 4500 towing a trailer. Police said an eastbound Hyundai Elantra tried to avoid a collision with the Chevrolet, lost control in the gravel on the eastbound shoulder, veered into the westbound lane and collided with the trailer pulled by the Dodge 4500.
The driver and passenger of the Hyundai were flown by air medic to a local hospital with serious injuries.
The crash affected traffic for about five hours. The driver of the Chevrolet was cited for careless driving and unsafe passing.
OSP is asking anyone who may have seen the Chevrolet driving westbound on Highway 20 at the moment of, or prior to, the collision to contact the OSP Northern Command Center dispatch at 800-442-0776 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Callers should reference case number SP26-255130.
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