Protect your kids from preventable disease ahead of 2024-25 school year

With a few weeks left before the school year begins, Washington County Public Health staff say now is a great time as any for parents and caregivers to get their children up-to-date vaccinations and protect them against vaccine-preventable disease. With cases of vaccine preventable disease like whooping cough rising in Spring and multiple cases of measles in Summer, it’s important for families to take preventative steps when they can.

“Getting the latest vaccines helps your children build their bodies’ immunity against viruses and bacteria that bring contagious disease like whooping cough, measles and chicken pox,” said Health Officer Dr. Christina Baumann. “Getting vaccinated protects both your kids and those around them, especially those more vulnerable to illness like babies and people with weak immune systems.”

K-12 data from the 2022-2023 school year found that most students in Washington County had complete school-required vaccinations according to the Oregon Immunization Program, averaging 97% across eight different immunization categories.

Having enough people vaccinated in a population can lead to herd immunity, which provides natural protection to those who aren’t vaccinated. It’s important to keep in mind though that required vaccination levels for achieving this are different for each disease. Even then, disease transmission can still happen when there is even a handful of unvaccinated people in the same small space, like a school.

In addition to protecting children, schools and local communities, getting K-12 students up to date with specific vaccine series based on their age or grade is also a requirement under state law. Otherwise, if their vaccines aren’t up to date, teachers and school staff may send students home during School Exclusion Day mid-February 2025 or in the event of a preventable disease outbreak.

Parents and caregivers seeking immunizations for their children should contact their health care provider. They may also reach out to any of the school-based health centers (SBHCs) below that are closest to them:

Washington County Public Health is also partnering Multnomah and Clackamas Counties to provide vaccine resources for Eastern European communities during Ukrainian Day on Aug. 24-25 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at Westmoreland Park (7530 SE 22nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97202). It’s a chance to connect with and learn from county staff while celebrating Ukrainian culture. More information about the event is available on the Ukrainian Foundation’s website.

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