Oregon Families: Are Your Kids Missing THIS Vital Vaccine Before the Deadline? Shocking Free Clinic Awaits!

As Oregon approaches its annual "Exclusion Day" on Wednesday, February 25, schools across the state are gearing up for a crucial deadline. This day marks the cutoff for students to be up-to-date on their vaccinations or have appropriate documentation for exemptions. In Multnomah County, health officials are urging families to ensure their vaccination records are current, having recently sent warning letters to approximately 4,600 households in the area.

This figure represents about 4 percent of homes in the county, a slight decrease compared to previous years when school officials dispatched over 5,000 warnings. Multnomah County Health Officer Dr. Richard Bruno emphasized the urgency of this year's vaccinations, particularly given the rise in measles cases both nationally and within Oregon. "This is a very urgent year because there's been so many measles cases across the United States and here in Oregon," Dr. Bruno stated. "We've had five cases of the measles. So we really want to ensure that people have gotten both of those required vaccines for the measles to completely protect themselves and their classmates in their community against measles, which can be a very deadly respiratory disease."

For families with unvaccinated children who are exposed to measles, the consequences can be severe. These children may face exclusion from school and childcare for at least 21 days following their last exposure. Given the potential for rapid spread within school settings, keeping vaccination records up-to-date is paramount.

Parents can have their children vaccinated at their regular healthcare provider or at one of the nine student health centers located throughout Multnomah County. All children aged 5 to 18 are eligible for vaccines, and notably, there is no out-of-pocket cost involved, regardless of insurance status or the school the child attends.

To assist families in meeting the upcoming deadline, Multnomah County and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) are co-hosting three walk-in vaccination clinics at the OHSU Richmond Clinic, located at 3930 SE Division Street. The schedule for these clinics is as follows:

• Saturday, February 21: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, February 24: 5 to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 25: 9 a.m. to noon (Catch-up deadline day)

These clinics are open to anyone without requiring ID or insurance; however, families should be prepared for potentially long wait times, as visits typically last at least one hour. For additional questions and information, families can reach out by calling 2-1-1.

The proactive measures being taken by health officials reflect a growing concern about vaccine-preventable diseases in the community. With the recent uptick in measles cases, ensuring that children are vaccinated not only protects individual health but also serves as a critical public health strategy to safeguard the broader community. As the deadline approaches, families are encouraged to act swiftly, as vaccination remains one of the most effective tools in preventing the spread of serious diseases.