Letter from Benton County Health Department
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As the school year comes to a close, Benton County Health Department would like to share some important information to help your child be ready for school next fall.
Get Ready for the Next School Year
Summer is a great time to check your child’s vaccine status and avoid delays when school starts. We encourage you to:
- Check which vaccines are required for school and childcare.
- Review your child’s vaccine
- Schedule any needed vaccine
- Ask questions about school vaccine requirements and other recommended
If your child needs vaccines, contact their doctor or call the Health Department at 541-766-6835. Our Public Health Immunization Clinic is open Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome.
Why This Matters
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recently reported that more students than ever are attending school without some or all required vaccines. Benton County schools are seeing a similar trend.
When fewer students are vaccinated, the risk of outbreaks of diseases like measles and pertussis (whooping cough) increases. These diseases spread quickly in schools and childcare programs.
You can learn more about your school’s vaccination rate by visiting the OHA School Immunization Data Dashboard.
School Exclusion During an Outbreak
Under Oregon law, students who are not fully vaccinated may be excluded from school or childcare during an outbreak. This helps protect them and prevent the disease from spreading.
Exclusions can last from several days to several weeks, depending on the disease. For example, during a measles outbreak, students who are not vaccinated must stay home for at least 21 days. Missing school can disrupt learning, activities, and family schedules.
Thank you for helping keep your child, school, and community healthy. We encourage you to check your child’s vaccination status now so they are ready for a successful start to next school year.