Clatsop County Parents Urged to Submit Children’s Vaccine Records by February 21 to Ensure School Attendance
Clatsop County Department of Public Health has issued a reminder to parents that the upcoming Wednesday, February 21, 2024, is School Immunization Exclusion Day. It is crucial that parents provide schools and child care facilities with their children’s vaccine records displaying proper immunizations. Failure to do so will result in the child being unable to attend school or child care.
Under Oregon state law, all children attending public and private schools, preschools, Head Start, and certified childcare facilities must have up-to-date documentation regarding their immunization status or possess an exemption.
The purpose of the state school immunization law is to ensure all children get recommended vaccines to build strong immunity against many infectious diseases among children, stated Public Health Director Jiancheng Huang. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that tens of thousands of people in the United States fall ill due to vaccine-preventable diseases.
Recent data highlights a significant improvement in Oregon’s vaccine rates for the 2022-2023 school year, with fewer children being under-vaccinated compared to rates recorded in 2000-2001.
Huang emphasized the importance of immunizations in safeguarding children against vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, rubella, and varicella. Immunizations are the best way to protect children, keeping both kids and school communities healthy and safe. The recent outbreaks of measles among unvaccinated children and adults in the nation and other countries serve as a stark reminder of the significance of vaccines and vaccinations, Huang added.
While insurance will be billed for immunizations, no child will be turned away if the family is unable to pay. Parents interested in having their children vaccinated at the Department of Public Health are encouraged to call 503-325-8500.
In addition, many pharmacists have the authority to administer immunizations to children aged seven and above. Parents can contact their neighborhood pharmacy or their child’s pediatrician for further information.
For detailed information on school immunizations, interested individuals can visit the Immunization Program website.
Ensuring children are adequately vaccinated protects not just the individual but also the broader community from the risks associated with vaccine-preventable diseases. Parents must take responsibility and promptly provide the necessary vaccine documentation to enable their children to attend school and child care facilities.
As the School Immunization Exclusion Day deadline of February 21 approaches, parents are urged to ensure that their children’s vaccine records are up to date and submitted to schools and child care facilities. By doing so, parents contribute to the overall health and safety of their children and the community at large.
This reminder from the Clatsop County Department of Public Health serves as a call to action for parents to promptly meet their obligations regarding school immunizations to protect their children and maintain public health standards.
