Deschutes County Health Services is encouraging parents and guardians to make sure their children’s immunizations are up to date before School Exclusion Day, which is Wednesday, Feb. 19 this year.
Oregon State law requires that all children attending public and private schools, preschools, Head Start programs, and certified childcare facilities either provide documentation that shows they have received the required vaccinations or claim a medical or non-medical exemption. Students who fail to meet the requirements by Feb. 19 will be excluded from school until their immunizations are up to date.
“Immunizations are one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of serious and potentially life-threatening diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, and whooping cough,” said Deschutes County Health Officer, Dr. Richard Fawcett. “Immunizations not only help to protect individual students, but they also ensure the health and safety of our community by preventing the spread of serious illnesses to vulnerable contacts.”
Last year, three counties in Oregon — Clackamas, Marion and Multnomah — fought to contain a measles outbreak. All 31 of the individuals who contracted the disease were unvaccinated for measles; 24 of them were children under the age of 19. Vaccination is the best preventative measure for measles, with two doses of measles-containing-vaccine providing 97% protection against the disease.
Pertussis, also known as “whooping cough,” was also widespread across the state in 2024, including 60 cases here in Deschutes County. Whooping cough can cause serious illness or even death and is especially dangerous for young babies. The DTaP vaccination for children — and the TDaP booster for adults — are important in helping to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.
Here’s what parents and guardians need to know:
- School Exclusion Day is Wednesday, Feb. 19
- To attend school after Feb. 19, all students must meet state immunization requirements, which vary by grade level.
- Parents and guardians will receive a letter in the mail prior to School Exclusion Day with information on the specific required immunizations their child is missing.
- The vaccine type, number of doses, and dose scheduling depends on the child’s age and time between vaccinations.
- Parents who wish to claim a medical, or non-medical exemption must provide the appropriate documentation by the Feb. 19 deadline. (*Note: Even with an exemption, children not current on the required vaccines can be excluded from school if there is an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease at the school.)
- Students who are not compliant with the immunization requirements by School Exclusion Day will not be allowed to attend classes until they receive the necessary vaccines.
Deschutes County Health Services recommends that parents and guardians contact their health care provider, local School Based Health Center, or local public health department to schedule an appointment if their children need one or more of the required vaccines. Local pharmacies may be an option for children 7 years and older.
Parents or guardians can schedule an immunization appointment at a School Based Health Center in Jefferson County, Crook County, or the cities of Bend, Redmond or Sisters, by calling (541) 383-3005. To make an appointment at the La Pine Community Health Center, call (541) 536-0400.
Immunizations are also available at two Deschutes County Public Health clinics: on Wednesdays at the North Campus at 236 NW Kingwood Ave. in Redmond, and on Thursdays at the Health Services Building at 2577 NE Courtney Dr. in Bend. Please call (541) 322-7499 to schedule an appointment.
All children, from birth to 18 years, will be seen and services will not be denied for lack of insurance coverage or ability to pay.
To learn more about the state’s immunization requirements for each grade level, please visit the Oregon Health Authority website.
For questions regarding immunization requirements for school, please call the Deschutes County School Law Immunization help line at: (541) 322-7451.
