With the school year underway, Deschutes County Public Health encourages parents and caregivers to check their child’s vaccination record and make sure they are up to date on needed vaccines.
Vaccines help protect children from serious illness. They also help reduce the spread of illness at school, at home and in the community.
Oregon law requires children in public and private schools to have certain vaccines unless they have an allowed exemption. Required vaccines protect against illnesses including whooping cough, polio, chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis.
The type of vaccine and number of doses your child may need depend on their age, grade and vaccine history.
Public Health suggests parents and caregivers take these three steps:
- Find your child’s vaccine record. Check with your child’s doctor, school or childcare program. Oregon families can also request vaccine records online.
- Check the dates and doses. Check with your child’s provider to make sure your child has received all required vaccine doses and verify whether they need boosters. For example, children entering seventh grade need a Tdap booster.
- Make an appointment early. Clinics can get busy as the school year starts, and some vaccines require more than one dose.
- Your child’s doctor or clinic is often the best place to start when making a vaccine appointment. Some pharmacies also offer vaccines for children ages seven and older. Call first to ask about age limits and vaccine availability.
Vaccines are also available through your county’s local public health clinics as well as the seven School-Based Health Centers in Central Oregon. These clinics provide vaccines and other care for children from birth through age 18. Children do not need to attend the school where the clinic is located.
To find the closest School-Based Health Center in Deschutes County or make an appointment, call 541-383-3005.
Get Ready for Respiratory Virus Season
Back-to-school season is also a good time for families to prepare for flu, COVID and RSV. These respiratory viruses often begin to spread in the fall and peak in the winter. They can cause serious illness, especially for babies, older adults, pregnant people and people with certain health conditions.
To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, wash your hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when you are sick. People at higher risk of serious illness should contact a health care provider when symptoms begin. Some illnesses, including flu, can be treated with antiviral medicine when caught early.
Another way to help protect your family and the community is to get vaccinated before these viruses spread. Flu, COVID and RSV vaccine recommendations vary based on age, pregnancy, health conditions and past vaccines. Talk to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist about which vaccines are right for your family and when to get them.
Deschutes County Health Services offers immunizations for people of all ages, including those who may have trouble getting vaccines because of cost, lack of insurance, underinsurance, transportation or other needs. Children ages 14 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Call Deschutes County Health Services at 541-322-7499 to schedule an appointment.
For more information about vaccines and local services, visit Deschutes County Health Services’ website or contact your healthcare provider.
