Oregon state law requires that all children from kindergarten through the 12th grade, and those attending a child care facility, must provide evidence of vaccination or an appropriate exemption. Vaccines protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis B are required. It's critical that children and students receive recommended immunizations to protect their health, both for today and for the future, according to Karin Romey, public health educator at the Oregon Health Division.
Vaccines prevent diseases that can permanently injure children and adults.
Common perceptions that vaccine-preventable diseases no longer occur are wrong, says Romey. The threat of preventable disease outbreaks, such as measles, is very real. For 1999, nine cases to date have been confirmed. The ages of those cases ranged from 6 months to 33 years. In sharp contrast, only 75 percent of two year olds are adequately protected.