Oregon Health Authority reminds parents and caregivers about upcoming vaccination deadline, directs families to resources
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Oregon Health Authority is reminding parents and caregivers that children must have up-to-date vaccination records or a valid exemption by February 25th to stay in school or child care. Children whose records are not updated by this annual will be sent home by their school or child care facility.
The Oregon Health Authority is directing families to several resources to help meet the deadline. Families can contact their health care providers, local health departments or call 211 for information on vaccine clinics. Local health departments cannot turn anyone away due to an inability to pay for required vaccinations. Additionally, many pharmacists are authorized to provide immunizations for children ages 7 and older.
The deadline comes as Oregon reports a record-high 9.7% nonmedical exemption rate for the 2024-2025 school year. Health officials are monitoring a significant rise in vaccine-preventable illnesses, including 1,552 cases of pertussis reported last year, which is the highest number the state has seen in 75 years.
A new report titled "Understanding Nonmedical Vaccine Exemptions in Oregon" found that parents seek exemptions for two primary reasons. The report cited concerns regarding vaccine safety and difficulty in securing vaccination appointments as the leading factors. Nonmedical exemptions have seen a steady increase over the last decade, reaching a record high of 9.7% for the 2024-2025 school year. This followed an 8.1% rate recorded for kindergarten students in 2023.
State health officials noted that declines in vaccination rates impact community safety. Stacy de Assis Matthews, the School Immunization Coordinator at the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division, said the risk of illness increases as rates drop. "Vaccine-preventable diseases can be highly contagious," Matthews said. "Last year, for example, Ore. reported 1,552 cases of pertussis, the highest number we've seen in 75 years. Vaccination remains our best defense against these diseases, keeping kids and school communities healthy and safe."
To notify families of missing records, county health departments mailed 22,702 letters to parents and caregivers on or before February 4th. This outreach follows data from the 2024-2025 school year showing that 4,504 children were sent home because their families had not provided the necessary vaccination records. Under Oregon law, documentation must be submitted to show a child is up to date on required shots or has a valid exemption.
Matthews said the state wants to ensure parents can access medical professionals to discuss their concerns. "We want to make sure that all families are able to get their questions about vaccines answered by a trusted medical provider and to get into a clinic where their children can get needed vaccines," Matthews said.
School vaccination and exemption rates for the 2024-2025 school year are currently available on the state's immunization dashboard. Data for the current school year will be released this Spring.
