With school quickly approaching, families should check their children's immunizations: A new Oregon law requires that pre-K and kindergarten students have at least one dose of Hepatitis A, in addition to other required vaccines, before school begins.
Also new this year, seventh-grade students must receive a Tdap vaccination. Students who do not receive this vaccine by Feb. 18 will be excluded. (This requirement is fulfilled if students have received a tetanus/diptheria shot in the last five years.)
Families in Portland can get their children immunized by their doctor, or, for a reduced price, at immunization clinics held by the Multnomah County Health Department. Immunization clinics will also be scheduled at schools in Multnomah County throughout the year; families should call their neighborhood school for details.
Most pre-K and kindergarten programs in Portland Public Schools begin no later than Sept. 8. Families must fill out Certificate of Immunization forms to enroll their children.
Portland Public Schools provides free pre-K programs at nine schools and full-day kindergarten in all elementary and K-8 schools. About 4,800 PPS students enrolled in pre-K and kindergarten programs in 2007-08.
For more information about vaccination requirements for PPS students, call 503-916-5875 or 503-916-5729, or the Immunization Office at MESD, 503-257-1732.
