Immunizations required for new school year

Published 12:00 am Sunday, August 15, 2021

A student wearing a mask during the pandemic.

As the 2021-22 school year fast approaches, students need to be up to date with their immunizations.

This week, there are two free events in Multnomah County to help families catch up on the shots that may have lapsed during the year of distance learning. Anyone 12 and older also can get a COVID-19 inoculation and will be eligible for a gift card.

Health officials believe as many as 1,500 students in Multnomah County do not have all of the immunizations required by state law. for children and students to attend public and private schools, preschools, child care facilities and Head Start programs in Oregon.

The events are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The first one on Wednesday, Aug. 18, is being held at the Fabric Depot, 700 S.E. 122nd Ave. Then on Tuesday, Aug. 24, another immunization event will be held at Arbor Lodge, 7440 N. Denver Ave.

Parents who received an exclusion letter from their school or the health department should bring that letter with them, along with your child’s immunization record and insurance card.

Appointments are suggested, but drop-ins are welcome, officials said. Parents can call 503-988-5558 to make an appointment.

There is no charge for any of the vaccines.

“We want to make sure parents know it’s OK if their children have fallen behind on their immunizations, and we are here to help them catch up,” said Katie Strawn, site medical director for Student Health Centers. “Staying up to date on childhood shots is more important than ever to make sure all kids are healthy and ready to learn when they head back to school in September.”

Parents should bring any exclusion letter from a school or the Health Department, and their child’s immunization record and insurance card, if they have them. Appointments are recommended but drop-ins also are welcome. Call 503-988-5558 to schedule an appointment.

Parents also can get their child immunized and a COVID shot at any Multnomah County Student Health Center or

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