Deschutes County public health officials are reminding parents to make sure their children’s immunizations are current. Beginning Wednesday, February 15, children won’t be able to attend school or child care if their records show they are missing immunizations and do not have an appropriate medical or religious exemption.
Parents with children who have incomplete immunizations will receive a letter in the mail this month. The letter will inform parents what shots are missing and need updating at the school.
The immunization requirement is the result of a state law that applies to all public and private schools, pre-schools, Head Start and certified child care facilities. “The goal is to make sure children in our community are protected against serious diseases that can easily spread in a school environment if children aren’t fully immunized,” said Deschutes County Health Services Immunization Coordinator Heather Kaisner.
This year, parents should take note of the following requirements:
Tdap vaccine requirement: Tdap vaccine is required for seventh, eighth, and ninth-graders. Tdap is a tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) booster. Whooping cough is a serious health concern in Oregon with more than 255 cases recorded last year.
Hepatitis A vaccine requirement: The hepatitis A vaccine, which protects against a
communicable viral infection, is a two-dose series now required for children 18 months
through second grade.
There a many options in Deschutes County for parents seeking immunizations for their child. They can contact their health care provider or call the Deschutes County Health Services Department at (541) 322-7400 to schedule an appointment. Rotary’s Shots for Tots and Teens will also be offering immunizations on the following dates and locations:
All Shots for Tots and Teen clinics are walk-in from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please bring a copy of your child’s immunization record with you.
January 21 – Sisters Elementary School
January 28 – Hugh Hartman Campus, Redmond
February 4 – Pilot Butte Middle School, Bend
February 11 – La Pine Middle School
For more information, please visit the following website: www.deschutes.org/immunizations.
