Parents encouraged to get kids’ vaccines up to date before school starts

With children heading back to school soon, Washington County Public Health is encouraging parents and caregivers to get their children up to date on required immunizations. Oregon law requires that all K-12 students as well as day care/child care attendees are up to date with specific vaccine series based on their age or grade. Students who are not up to date by February 21, 2024, will be excluded from school or day care.

“Being up to date on vaccines is the best way to protect your children from diseases like measles, whooping cough and chicken pox,” Washington County Health Officer Dr. Christina Baumann said. “These diseases can be very contagious and spread quickly among unprotected children, especially in group settings like school and child care. By getting your kids vaccinated, you are also helping to protect the vulnerable among us, like babies and those with weakened immune systems who can’t be vaccinated.”

Individuals can see their health care provider for vaccines. In addition, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center (503-601-7400) and Neighborhood Health Center (503-848-5861) will be providing vaccines at their respective school-based health centers across the county. Virginia Garcia’s 7th Avenue Clinic in Hillsboro also offers childhood vaccines and is open to anyone. Washington County Public Health will be at the Beaverton Resource Center Resource Fair on Friday, August 18, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. administering TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccines for students entering the seventh grade. COVID vaccines, while not required by law, will also be available for those ages 12 and older. The center is located at 13565 SW Walker Road in Beaverton.

Those without insurance or a primary care doctor can call the Washington County Health Care Resource Line at 503-846-8851 to be directed to a clinic location.