Public health officials are advising parents that children won’t be able to go to school or child care starting Feb. 17 if their records on file show missing immunizations.

State law requires that all children in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start and certified child care facilities be up-to-date on their immunizations, or have a religious or medical exemption. 

If a child’s immunization record shows that he or she has not received the required immunizations, parents or guardians will be sent a letter.

A total of 4,667 children were kept out of school or child care last year until the necessary immunization information was turned in to the schools or child care facilities.

Parents seeking immunizations for their children should contact their health care provider or local health department, or call Oregon SafeNet at 1-800-SAFENET or 1-800-723-3638.

No one can be turned away from a local health department because of the inability to pay for required vaccines.