Shots are required by law for children in attendance at public and private schools, preschools, child care facilities, and Head Start programs in Oregon. Medical and nonmedical exemptions are accepted as alternatives. See below for more information.
Required Vaccinations
Exemptions and Immunity
Parents who cannot or do not want their children to be vaccinated can claim an exemption for one or all school immunizations. There two types of exemptions; medical and nonmedical. In addition, some people may show immunity because of having had a disease or with a blood test. See below for explanations, directions and required forms for completing the exemption process.
Medical Exemptions
Some people cannot get immunized because of a medical reason. Physicians can sign medical exemptions for children with valid contraindications and precautions to an immunization as determined by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
There are two kinds of medical exemptions, temporary and permanent. Temporary medical exemptions are given an expiration date after which the child will need to receive the vaccine, or the physician will need to write a request for an extension for re-review by the local health department. With a permanent medical exemption, the child will never be required to receive the vaccine.
To apply for a medical exemption for a child, the parent must submit to the school or child care a letter signed by a licensed physician stating:
Child’s name
Birth date
Medical condition that contraindicates vaccine
List of vaccines contraindicated
Approximate time until the condition resolves, if applicable
Physician’s signature
Physician’s contact information including the phone number
Nonmedical Exemptions
Some people choose not to vaccinate for personal, religious, or philosophical reasons and they can claim a nonmedical exemption to some or all immunizations. To claim a nonmedical exemption for children in child care, preschool, K-12, or college, visit healthoregon.org/vaccineexemption.
Immunity Documentation
If a person can show immunity to certain diseases they do not need to provide vaccination dates. Immunity documentation is acceptable for history of disease or positive titer (blood test) for hepatitis B, hepatitis A, Hib, MMR or varicella. Immunity documentation is not acceptable for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis or polio.
To submit immunity documentation for a child, the parent must have a letter or lab test from a licensed physician stating:
Child’s name
Birth date
Diagnosis or lab report
Parents can sign for history of disease for varicella.