Time for back-to-school immunizations

Back-to-school may be different with COVID-19, but the importance of staying up-to-date on immunizations remains steady. Central Oregon public health departments want to remind parents to make sure their children have all the immunizations they need to stay healthy.

"While preventing COVID-19 has been at the forefront of our minds, it's also important to remember that other serious diseases still exist and can cause severe illness in children," said James Stolle, Immunization Program Coordinator for Deschutes County Health Services. "Immunizations are one of the most effective means available for protecting the health of your child and the health of our community.”

Oregon law requires that children in school, preschool, or a childcare facility need proof that they are protected against measles, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A and B and varicella. Parents should take note that one dose of Tdap vaccine is required for incoming 7th graders. Tdap is a tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) booster. Whooping cough is a serious health concern in Oregon with cases in Deschutes County every year.

Parents need to have documentation showing proof of immunizations, a medical exemption, or a non-medical exemption on file with their child’s school.

Only those who have a medical reason for not being vaccinated or have completed the education required for a non-medical exemption are exempt. For more information on immunization requirements, click here. 

Parents seeking immunizations for their children should contact their health care provider, county public health department, or a School-Based Health Center (SBHC) to make an appointment. Providers are taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including temperature screening, wearing masks and utilizing hand washing stations.

Crook County: (541) 447-5165, or to make an appointment at a School-Based Health Center:

• Prineville – Crook Kids Clinic SBHC – (541) 383-3005

Deschutes County: (541) 322-7499, or to make an appointment at a School-Based Health Center:

• Bend – Bend High SBHC – (541) 383-3005 or Ensworth SBHC - (541) 383-3005
• La Pine – La Pine SBHC - (541) 536-0400
• Redmond – Lynch SBHC - (541) 383-3005 or Redmond High SBHC - (541) 383-3005
• Sisters – Sisters SBHC - (541) 526-6623

Jefferson County: (541) 475-4456, or to make an appointment at a School-Based Health Center:

• Madras – Madras High SBHC – (541) 383-3005

Pharmacists can also immunize children age 7 or older. Please contact your local pharmacy for details.
For more information, please visit www.deschutes.org/immunizations or call (541) 322-7499.