The Oregon Health Authority reports children across the state are still behind on their routine vaccinations and it's critical to get them back on track as school starts to protect them as well as schools and communities from preventable diseases.
For the 2024-25 school year, only 86.3% of Oregon's kindergarteners were up to date on their required vaccinations, down slightly from 86.4% the year before.
Twenty years ago, that number was 93.4%.
The overall decline has state health officials concerned about a possible resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles which can cause severe illness, even in previously healthy children.
Dr. Dean Sidelinger, OHA state health officer and state epidemiologist, said "vaccines have dramatically improved the health and well-being of our children and communities, and are needed now more than ever." He said "they keep children healthy and in school where they learn best."
Every child who attends public and private schools, preschools, child care facilities and Head Start programs in Oregon must be up to date on required vaccinations unless they have a medical or non-medical exemption.
