Oregon Kindergarten Vaccination Rates Drop to Record Lows as Non-Medical Exemptions Soar
Vaccinations of Oregon kindergarten children continue a three-year pattern of decline, risking outbreaks in schools and communities of illnesses that are vaccine-preventable, says the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
The highest-ever number of pre-school non-medical exemptions was recorded in the 2024-25 school year, representing 9.7% of Oregon kindergartners, says the OHA in a statement issued yesterday.
This figure is up from 8.8% in the previous school year, when Oregon registered the fourth-highest number of vaccine non-medical exemptions nationwide.
Oregon vaccination rates among the youngest children have been declining for three years, and there are now 13.7% of Oregon kindergartners who are not fully vaccinated, say health officials.
Kindergarten Immunizations Have Been Declining Since the COVID Epidemic
Oregon’s early childhood immunization rates have been falling since the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic in mid-2020, when rates were 71.3%.
In 2021, the rate was 71%, in 2022 it was 68.7%, in 2023 it was 68.3%, and a fractional increase in 2024 when the vaccination rate was 68.4%, according to Oregon Immunization Program data.
Oregon children can be exempted from vaccinations on non-medical grounds by watching an educational video and a doctor’s certification that they are informed of the possible consequences.
The OHA has expressed alarm at the rising tempo of non-medical exemptions, reminding parents that vaccines are crucial to protect public health.
They referred to the current measles epidemic in the U.S. in which 1,001 of those infected are not vaccinated. The OHA says this growing trend can unravel decades of progress in public health.
Urging parents to have their children vaccinated, the OHA says families can contact 211 or their local health department.
The Vaccines for Children program offers low-cost or free immunizations for children up to age 18 enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan. This service is also available to American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Further information can be obtained from the OHA website.