BENTON COUNTY, Ore.— As children return to classrooms and daycare across Benton County, the Health Department reminds schools and caregivers of declining childhood vaccination rates across the state and county. The Health Department encourages families to follow the recommended childhood and adolescent immunization schedule to avoid school exclusion and to help protect students, families, staff, and the community from serious illness.
In June, the Health Department reported a downward trend in school-required vaccination rates across both the State and County and that “more students than ever are attending school without some or all required vaccines.” With schools resuming after the busy months of summer, the department wants to remind folks of the risks associated with this decline.
When vaccine rates decline, the risk of outbreaks of diseases like measles and pertussis (whooping cough) increases. These diseases spread quickly in schools and childcare programs.
“Lots of families travel during the summer, said Luv Paresa, RN, immunization coordinator for Benton County Health Department. “When staff and children return to classrooms and childcare facilities in the fall, it’s not uncommon for illness to spread quickly.”
“Now is a great time to ensure our children and the community is protected by getting kids and teens up to date on recommended and required vaccines,” Paresa said.
Local Risk and School Immunization Rates
According to the Health Department, the current vaccination rates are not high enough to maintain community immunity. Community immunity, sometimes called herd immunity, means that enough people in a group or area have immunity to a germ (for instance, a virus) that it no longer spreads easily.
While most families in Benton County continue to choose vaccination to protect themselves, schools vary in their vaccination rates.
“The most current vaccination rates are not high enough to prevent measles outbreaks,” said Carolina Amador, M.D., health officer and pediatrician for Benton County Health Services. “We encourage families to look at the rates in their schools to better understand person and community risk.”
School-specific immunization rates are available through OHA’s 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.
Get Ready for the School Year
The start of the school year is a great time for parents and caregivers to check their children’s vaccine statuses and update their records to avoid school exclusion. Benton County Health Department encourages people to:
- Check which vaccines are required for school and childcare.
- Review child vaccine records.
- Schedule any needed vaccine appointments.
- Ask questions about school vaccine requirements and other recommended vaccines.
If children need vaccines, contact their doctor or call Benton County Health Department at 541-766-6835. Their Public Health Immunization Clinic at 530 NW 27th Street, Corvallis is open Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. The clinic offers longer appointment times and helps locate and update complex vaccine records such as out of state or international records.
For more information, visit Benton County’s immunizations webpage where you can find an easy-to-read, printable flyer of the school-required vaccine schedule in both English and Spanish.
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Benton County Health Department
The Benton County Health Department is committed to protecting the health and well-being of everyone who lives in, works in, or visits Benton County. The Benton County Health Department focuses on preventing health problems before they occur. Their programs strive to create community conditions that help reduce health disparities, so all people have an equal chance for a long and healthy life.
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