Children across Oregon are still behind on their routine vaccinations. It's crucial to get them back on track before school starts to protect them as well as their schools and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases.
For the 2022-23 school year, the Oregon Health Authority reports only 87.1% of the state's kindergartners were up to date on their required vaccinations. Twenty years ago, that number was 94.4%.
The overall decline has state health officials concerned -- especially with a recent measles outbreak among mostly unvaccinated people under age 20 centered in Marion County. Measles is highly contagious and it may take 7-21 days after exposure before symptoms appear.
Every child who attends public and private schools, preschools, child care facilities and Head Start programs in Oregon must be up to date on required vaccinations unless they have a medical or non-medical exemptions.
COVID-19 and flu vaccinations are not required in these settings, but they are highly recommended for people of all ages.
