BEND, OR -- Exclusion Day is coming up in three weeks. Kids could be kept out of school February 21st if their immunization records aren’t updated. Deschutes County Immunization Coordinator Sarah Van Meter says it’s a state law, "All children that go to public, private schools, preschools, Head Start programs and certified childcare facilities need to have up-to-date documentation for certain vaccines that help prevent serious illnesses."

She tells KBND News, "Kids need to be up-to-date on their MMR - Measles, Mumps, Rubella - the DTAP - which is Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis - Hepatitis A and B, Polio, and the Haemophilus Influenza Type B and Varicella, which is chicken pox." Click HERE for more about what's required for each grade. Families can submit medical exemptions with certification from their doctor stating why the child is unable to get vaccinated. And there’s a process for those seeking non-medical exemptions. "Oregon is one of the states that allows for parents, guardians, or even the student themselves, if they’re 15 years or older, to apply for a non-medical exemption," says Van Meter, "And it could be because they have a personal, religious or philosophical reason." Oregon has a large number of kids forgoing shots for religious or philosophical reasons, "We’re second in the nation, next to Idaho, in the amount of non-medical exemptions that we’re seeing."

Van Meter says vaccines are important. "Just last week, on the 25th, the CDC issued a message to stay alert for Measles cases because between December first and just last week, the CDC was notified that there were 23 confirmed US cases of Measles. Most of these cases were amongst children and adolescents who have not yet received a Measles-containing vaccine." 

Your child’s school can tell you if you’re missing vaccines or the proper documents. If your child is behind on their shots, contact your healthcare provider, county public health office, or local school-based health clinic.