West Coast Doctors Break From CDC, Urge Oregon Parents to Follow Full Vaccine Schedule
The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) has criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) decision to significantly reduce the number of vaccinations that all American children have routinely received in recent years.
Instead, the WCHA endorses the child and adult immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for all residents of Oregon, California, Washington, and Hawaii.
This stance by the WCHA underscores the reason for its establishment last year, following changes in CDC leadership that reduced transparency and compromised the federal government’s ability to address the nation’s public health challenges.
CDC Vaccination Cutback Threatens to Increase Diseases in Children
In a news statement, the WCHA says the decision by the CDC did not follow established vaccine policy procedure and threatens to increase diseases in children that are prevented by vaccinations.
Source: Oregon Health Authority / Oregon Kindergarten Immunization Summary, school year 2024/2025 (reported spring 2025)
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The organization believes that this decision will result in missed school days, missed work days for parents, and could lead to hospitalization or even death.
‘The current American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule is based on established vaccine safety and effectiveness evidence.
The Alliance will continue to review available vaccine science and ensure continued access to recommended vaccines,’ states the WCHA.
The organization recommends that parents continue to make informed decisions about vaccinations for their children, based on the advice of their healthcare provider.
Insurance Cover Will Continue for Both Child and Adult Vaccinations
WCHA states that its decision will not affect insurance coverage for vaccines. All child and adolescent immunizations recommended on December 31, 2025, will remain available and covered by public and private insurers.
Oregon State Law Requires Immunizations for School Children
Meanwhile, Multnomah County warns that immunizations are required by state law for children and students attending public and private schools, preschools, childcare facilities, and Oregon Head Start programs.
State law requires all children to be immunized to remain enrolled, with exemptions granted for medical or non-medical reasons.
Schools must ensure that a Certificate of Immunization Status Form is kept on file for each child in their care, and have until January 14, 2026, to report children with incomplete or no immunization records.
Here are the key Oregon deadlines that lead to school exclusion for missing shots.
| Date | What happens | Who acts |
|---|---|---|
| Within 30 days of school start | Primary review and first reporting window begins | Schools and child care sites |
| January 14, 2026 | First report due to local health department | Schools and child care sites |
| February 4, 2026 | Exclusion orders mailed to families not in compliance | Local health departments |
| February 25, 2026 | Exclusion day / children still out of compliance sent home | Schools and child care sites |
| March 9, 2026 | Final report due | Schools and child care sites |
All children will be excluded from their school or childcare facility on February 25, 2026, if they fail to maintain or complete their immunizations.