School Exclusions Begin Wednesday

Oregon state law requires that all children enrolled in school or childcare facilities be up to date on their immunizations, this protects them and those around them from potentially serious diseases.

(Salem) - Wednesday is the day children will be excluded from attendance if parents do not complete the needed forms showing that their children have had the required vaccines or been exempted.

Last month, Marion County mailed out more than 3,100 exclusion orders to families of children in schools and registered child-care facilities.

Here are some answers to questions commonly asked by parents and guardians.

How do I cancel the order? Have your children's immunizations updated and take that information to the school. If your child has already received the required immunization, write the dates on the order, sign and date it, and turn it in to your child's school.

I turned in an updated record to the school. Why did I get an exclusion order?

If the record was turned in after January 11th, the school had already sent the reports to the Health Department, and so the updated information was not included in the report that was sent by the Health Department. It is best to check in with your child's school.

My child had the chickenpox, but the order said they need the shot. Most likely the school did not have the information that your child had the disease. Please fill in the date they had the disease, sign and date the form, and take it to the school.

The order says that my child needs another MMR or varicella shot, but I thought that they were complete. The most common problem with MMR and varicella is that the first shot was given before one year of age. This is too soon, and that dose does not count. One more dose is required. Are TB tests required for school admission? No, TB tests are no longer required for school entry. Where can I get immunizations for my child? The best place is your child's health care provider so that the provider's records are complete.

The Marion County Health Department also provides immunizations.

Salem Office: (503) 588-5342 -- Stayton Office (503) 769-9873 (Fridays only) -- Woodburn Office: (503) 981-5851 (every Wednesday no appointment needed).

Parents are encouraged to call soon, because appointments fill up quickly.

There is a fee for immunizations, but eligible persons will not be denied service if they are unable to pay.

Please call for questions about the cost of immunizations and to schedule an appointment.

Parents must accompany their children and bring with them their children's shot records.

Another provider is Shots for Tots: 2475 Center St NE, Salem, (971)-388-4620.