Oregon Vaccine Exclusion Day 2026: What Oregon Families Need to Know

Oregon Vaccine Exclusion Day is coming, and families across Oregon,including those in Oakridge, McKenzie River, Sandy, Hoodland, Fern Ridge, Wade Creek, and surrounding rural communities,are preparing to ensure their children are up to date on required immunizations. At Orchid Health, we provide clear, evidence-based vaccine guidance and convenient, local access to immunizations to help students stay healthy, in school, and ready to learn.

Many childhood vaccines are available at no cost for students in the district through Orchid Health clinics. Our care teams work closely with families to make vaccination simple, accessible, and stress-free,especially during the busy back-to-school season.

If you choose not to vaccinate for personal, religious, or philosophical reasons, Oregon allows families to claim a nonmedical exemption for some or all immunizations. To claim a nonmedical exemption for children in child care, preschool, K–12, or college, families must complete the required education process through the Oregon Health Authority at healthoregon.org/vaccineexemption.

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What is Oregon Vaccine Exclusion Day?

Oregon Vaccine Exclusion Day is the annual date when schools and child care programs review student immunization records to ensure compliance with state requirements. Students who are not up to date,or who do not have a valid exemption on file,may be temporarily excluded from school until their immunization records are complete.

This process helps protect students, staff, and the broader community from vaccine-preventable diseases and is especially important in close-contact settings like classrooms, buses, and school activities.

Families can learn more about state requirements through the Oregon Health Authority Immunization Program.

Staying Up to Date is Simple

At Orchid Health, we make it easy for families across rural Oregon to stay on track with childhood and adolescent vaccines. Our clinics are currently following the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended immunization schedule, which is widely used by pediatric providers to protect children at every stage of development.

If you are feeling confused by recent federal vaccine-related updates or headlines, you are not alone. We encourage families to learn more about how Orchid Health and insurance providers are navigating recent federal changes in our related blog, Understanding Recent Federal Vaccine Guidance and What It Means for Oregon Families.

Staying on schedule helps protect:

• Your child’s health
• Classmates and teachers
• Infants, elders, and medically vulnerable community members

Helpful tips for Oregon families:

• Check your child’s immunization records early using the Oregon Immunization Information System.
• Schedule vaccine appointments ahead of Oregon Vaccine Exclusion Day to avoid last-minute stress
• Talk with your child’s Orchid Health provider about vaccine timing, safety, or exemptions

Local Vaccine Care at Orchid Health

Orchid Health clinics provide trusted, community-based vaccine care for families throughout Oregon. Our teams offer:

• Convenient access to recommended childhood and adolescent vaccines
• Support with school-required documentation and record-keeping
• Compassionate, evidence-based guidance for informed parental decision-making

Whether you live in Oakridge, along the McKenzie River, or in surrounding rural areas, our clinics are here to support your family’s health,close to home.

Schedule Your Child’s Vaccine Appointment Today

Don’t wait until the last minute. Scheduling early helps ensure your child is ready for Oregon Vaccine Exclusion Day and avoids unnecessary school disruptions.

Call your local Orchid Health clinic or visit orchidhealth.org to schedule your child’s vaccine appointment today.

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