Deschutes County Health Services wants to remind parents that children will not be able to attend school or child care starting February 17 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 non-medical or medical exemption on file at their school.
Information for parents about updated vaccine requirements:
• The Non-Medical Exemption Law, which requires parents to complete education in order to claim an exemption, went into effect on March 1, 2014. As a result of this law, parents can get a Vaccine Education Certificate by talking to their health care provider or watching an online education module. After completing the required exemption education, the Certificate must be provided to the child’s school. The module can be viewed at: www.healthoregon.org/vaccineexemption.
• Religious Exemptions claimed prior to March 1, 2014 are no longer valid. Parents have the option to either submit an updated immunization record to their child’s school or complete the education requirement for a non-medical exemption.
Deschutes County Health Services is currently sending letters to notify parents and guardians if their child needs immunizations to stay in school or child care. 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 vaccination records are not up-to-date, the child will be sent home on February 17.
Parents seeking immunizations for their children should contact their health care provider or Deschutes County Health Services at 322-7400 to make an appointment. Local School Based Health Centers (SBHC) will be open during extended hours leading up to Exclusion Day. Appointments can be made at:
• Bend – Bend High SBHC or Ensworth SBHC – 541-323-3850
• La Pine – La Pine SBHC – 541-536-3435.
• Redmond – Lynch SBHC – 541-923-5800 or Redmond High SBHC – 541-526-6623
• Sisters – Sisters SBHC – 541-526-6623
Pharmacists can also immunize children age 11 or older. Please contact your local pharmacy for details. For more information about child immunizations, please visit: www.deschutes.org/immunizations or call 541-322-7400.
