Immunizations

State law requires that all children in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start and certified child care facilities have up-to-date documentation on their immunizations, or have a religious or medical exemption.

“Immunization is an effective way to keep schools and the entire community healthy. We want to make sure children are fully protected against vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Stacy de Assis Matthews, school law coordinator in the Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division. “If school and child care vaccination records are not up-to-date, the child will be sent home.”

Information for parents about updated vaccine requirements:

• Parents of adolescents should be aware that one dose of Tdap vaccine is required for seventh- through 10th-graders. Tdap is a tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) booster.
• The hepatitis A vaccine, which protects against a communicable viral infection, is a two-dose series required for children 18 months and older in child care, preschool and kindergarten through third grade.