Oregon Parents EXEMPTING 30% of Kids from Vaccines: What They DON’T Want You to Know!

Oregon is facing potential challenges in its already low kindergarten vaccination rates following a significant policy change by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Earlier this month, the CDC ceased recommending the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, a shift that public health experts argue could reverse decades of progress in reducing liver disease and cirrhosis rates.

Oregon is part of a collaborative initiative known as the West Coast Health Alliance, which includes Hawaii, California, and Washington. This group is committed to promoting evidence-based vaccination schedules and policies, and it continues to recommend the hepatitis B vaccine despite the CDC's decision.

Public health officials in Oregon are likely to face a tougher uphill battle compared to their counterparts in other West Coast states. Oregon law allows parents to claim both “medical” and “personal” exemptions, which has resulted in the state having the third-highest kindergarten vaccine opt-out rate in the U.S. at 9.7%. This figure is nearly triple the national average of 3.4%. In comparison, Idaho leads with a 15.1% opt-out rate, followed by Utah at 10%.

Vaccination rates among kindergartners in almost all Oregon counties lag behind the national average for critical vaccines, including those for measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, and hepatitis B. This situation is alarming as these diseases can lead to severe health complications, including lifelong consequences and even death. Experts state that Oregon is far from achieving “herd immunity,” which requires a vaccination rate of 95% to effectively protect communities from highly contagious diseases like measles.

Morrow County stands out as the only region in Oregon where more than 95% of children in grades K–12 were up to date on vaccinations for the 2024–25 school year. In contrast, nearby Grant County reported a much lower vaccination rate of only 85%. Public health administrator Trey Thompson remarked, “I think it’s kind of out of sight, out of mind for some of these major diseases that people don’t even have to interact with anymore.” He noted that lingering distrust in vaccinations, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has contributed to this situation.

Jackson County's vaccination rate is at 85.6%, which is higher than neighboring Josephine County's 81.9% but significantly lower than Klamath County's impressive 92%. The concerning trend of unvaccinated children has already led to record cases of whooping cough in Oregon this year, with 1,453 reported cases through November—a staggering 43% increase over the same period last year, marking the highest number since 1950. Robin Canaday, Morrow County’s public health director, expressed her heartache at seeing children suffer from preventable diseases, emphasizing that vaccines can protect against the severity of these illnesses.

Local Vaccination Statistics

Vaccination rates at local educational institutions reveal further disparities:

• Ashland High – 71.8%
• Walker Elementary – 72.0%
• Helman Elementary – 81.9%
• Bellview Elementary – 80.5%
• Trails Outdoor – 44.3%
• Willow Wind Community Learning Center – 54.3%
• Ashland Middle School – 76.4%
• Ashland Connect – 75.0%
• Siskiyou School – 85.6%
• Talent Middle – 88.8%
• Talent Elementary – 81.9%

This information, derived from the Oregon Health Authority, paints a troubling picture of public health in the state, particularly as misinformation about vaccines continues to have real-world consequences. The controversial views of U.S. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has publicly stated that vaccines cause more harm than good, further complicate the landscape. Earlier this year, he appointed members to the CDC immunization panel who largely share his skeptical views, raising concerns among public health experts.

As the debate about vaccinations continues, the health of Oregon's children remains at the forefront. With rising rates of preventable diseases, the need for transparent communication and education about the benefits of vaccination has never been more urgent. As health officials strive to balance personal choice with public safety, the repercussions of these decisions will undoubtedly affect the future of Oregon's public health landscape.