Exclusion Day for unimmunized children coming up

Deschutes County Health Services reminded parents Wednesday that children will not be able to attend school or child care starting Wednesday, Feb. 21 if their school records show missing immunizations.

State law requires that all children in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start, and certified child care facilities have up-to-date immunization records, or have a medical or non-medical exemption on file at their school.

“The goal of this Law is to ensure that all children, including medically fragile children who can’t be vaccinated, are protected against serious vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Deschutes County Health Services Director Dr. George Conway. “Vaccinating children also helps protect their families and the whole community.”

Letters have been sent to notify parents and guardians if their child needs immunizations to stay in school or childcare. Many parents get letters because their child’s school or day care records are not up-to-date, even though the child may have all of their shots. It is important for parents to update their child’s immunization record after every shot. If school and child care immunization records are not up-to-date, the child will be sent home on Feb. 21.

Parents seeking immunizations for their children should contact their health care provider, a School-Based Health Center (SBHC) or Deschutes County Health Services (541-322-7499) to make an appointment. Appointments at School-Based Health Centers can be made at the following:

— Bend – Bend High SBHC – (541) 383-3005 or Ensworth SBHC – (541) 323-3850

— La Pine – La Pine SBHC – (541) 536-0400

— Redmond – Lynch SBHC – (541) 923-5800 or Redmond High SBHC – (541) 647-2716

— Sisters – Sisters SBHC – (541) 526-6623

Pharmacists can also immunize children who are seven or older. Please contact your local pharmacy for details.

For parents seeking a non-medical exemption, a certificate of completion of vaccine education from a health care practitioner or from the Oregon Health Authority on-line education module must be provided to the child’s school.

For more information about child immunizations, please visit: www.deschutes.org/immunizations or call (541) 322-7499.