Most kids in Oregon are either back in school already or will be soon. This is a great time to make sure your child is up-to-date on their routine immunizations.
In Oregon, children are required to receive certain childhood vaccines in order to attend school. Talk with your child’s health care provider about what vaccines your child needs to stay healthy this school year. Many health care providers can also give your child a flu shot to protect them during the flu season. With COVID-19 spreading in our communities, it’s even more important to protect our children from the flu and other preventable diseases.
As a parent or guardian, another way you can help protect your children is to get the COVID-19 vaccine. You may be able to schedule your own vaccination at the same time as your child’s immunization visit. Children 12 or older can also get their COVID-19 vaccines at the same time as other vaccines. If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccination for your children or yourself, your health care provider can answer them.
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program offers free vaccines to families who cannot afford to pay for their children’s vaccines. Call 211 to find out more about VFC.
You can learn more about routine vaccination by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Growing Up with Vaccines interactive guide, which provides information on the vaccines recommended during pregnancy, throughout childhood, and into adulthood.
Find out more about COVID-19 vaccination on OHA’s COVID-19 Vaccine webpage.
If your children need health insurance, they may be eligible for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). It is open to all children and teens younger than 19, regardless of immigration status, who meet income and other criteria. Trained community partners across the state can help you fill out an application. Visit http://www.OHP.Oregon.gov to find community partners in your area.
Watch a video about vaccination.
This article first appeared in the Aug. 30, 2021 issue of Oregon Coronavirus Update.