OHA release - Children across Oregon are still behind on their routine vaccinations, and it’s critical to get them back on track before school starts to protect them, as well as our schools and communities, from vaccine-preventable diseases. Those diseases include measles, polio, chickenpox, hepatitis A and B, pertussis, and more. To find out which vaccines your child needs, check out this printable 2025-2026 School Year Immunization requirement sheet for Oregon. For the 2024-2025 school year, only 86.3% of Oregon’s kindergarteners were up to date on their required vaccinations, slightly down from 86.4% the year before. Twenty years ago, that number was 93.4%. The overall decline has state health officials concerned about a possible resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles which can cause severe illness, even in previously healthy children. “Vaccines have dramatically improved the health and well-being of our children and communities, and are needed now more than ever,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, OHA state health officer and state epidemiologist. “They help keep children healthy and in school where they learn best.” Every child who attends public and private schools, preschools, child care facilities, and Head Start programs in Oregon must be up to date on required vaccinations unless they have a medical or non-medical exemption. Vaccination resources for families: Families seeking vaccines can contact 211 or their local health department. 211 Info offers support in English and Spanish, with interpreter services in multiple languages. The Vaccines for Children program provides low- or no-cost immunizations for children ages 0-18 who are enrolled in Oregon Health Plan (OHP/Medicaid), uninsured, and/or American Indian/Alaska Native. Visit OHA’s interactive School Immunization data page for Oregon's latest school immunization statistics, and track infectious diseases in Oregon on our Monthly Communicable Disease Surveillance Report.