SUSAN TOM
Statesman Journal
December 28, 2002
More than 5,000 students in Salem-Keizer schools will be excluded from school unless they get all their required immunizations.
The Oregon School Immunization Law requires that children be protected against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, rubella and mumps, hepatitis B, haemophilus influenza and varicella. Haem-ophilus influenza type B vaccine is required for children younger than 5.
Pupils entering school, preschool, pre-kindergarten, day care and Head Start must submit their immunization history on a Certificate of Immunization Status form when enrolling.
Schools and children’s facilities are reviewing immunization records to determine if children are in compliance with the requirements of the law. About 5,265 students in Salem-Keizer are not.
The records of pupils who don’t meet the requirements will be turned over to the Marion County Health Department Jan. 15. The department will issue exclusion orders by Feb. 5. If the immunizations are not done and the proper form not completed and returned to the school or facility, the student will be excluded Feb. 19.
Shots are available from private physicians or the Marion County Health Department. For an appointment, call (503) 588-5342 in Salem, (503) 585-4932 in Stayton and (503) 981-5851 or (503) 566-2901 in Woodburn. For those without insurance, there is a $15 fee per shot at the health department. No one will be denied vaccines because of an inability to pay. Parents must accompany their kids and bring their child’s immunization record with them.