Multnomah County health officials are urging families to ensure their children’s immunizations are up-to-date before Oregon’s vaccine catch-up deadline on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, warning that students without required documentation will be excluded from school and child care starting that day.
Under state law, students in schools, preschools and child care facilities who lack proof of required vaccinations cannot attend until their records are updated. Each year, about 109,000 children and students in Multnomah County must meet immunization requirements. On Feb. 4, approximately 4,600 families received exclusion warning letters notifying them that their child’s records were incomplete.
“Immunizations don’t just protect your own child; they protect their classmates and our entire community,” said Multnomah County Health Officer Dr. Richard Bruno. “Vaccines help kids stay healthy so they can play, learn and spend time with friends. They keep schools open, strengthen communities and give every child the best chance to grow up healthy.”
Families are encouraged to contact their regular health care provider to schedule vaccinations and to bring any letter received from their school or the Health Department to the appointment. Children without a regular provider, or those unable to secure a timely appointment, can receive vaccines at one of the county’s nine Student Health Centers. All children ages 5 to 18 can receive vaccines at no out-of-pocket cost at these centers, regardless of insurance status or school district. Appointments are required.
“Our Student Health Centers are available to all K-12 children and youth for the full range of primary care services,” said Katie Strawn, nurse practitioner and medical director of Student Health Centers. “In addition to vaccinations, our skilled clinic teams provide physical exams, treatment for illness or injury, lab tests and prescriptions, and mental health counseling.”
Multnomah County also operates seven primary care clinics that provide low- or no-cost vaccinations for children, including uninsured patients. Families seeking a new patient appointment can call 503-988-5558.
The deadline comes amid renewed concern about measles cases reported in the region and across Oregon. Health officials say measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, especially in young children. Unvaccinated children exposed to measles may be excluded from school or child care for at least 21 days after their last exposure.
Officials stress that high community vaccination rates are critical to preventing outbreaks. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are considered the most effective protection.
To help families meet the deadline, Multnomah County and Oregon Health & Science University will host three free walk-in vaccination clinics at OHSU Richmond Clinic, 3930 S.E. Division St., Portland. Clinics are available to children in child care and school-aged students who received an exclusion letter. No identification or insurance is required, and interpreters will be available. Families should expect visits to take at least one hour.
“The health and well-being of children and families in Oregon have always been OHSU’s top priority and guiding principle,” said Dawn Nolt, M.D., M.P.H., division head of pediatric infectious diseases at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. “We know, based on decades of evidence, that vaccination is a safe and highly effective way to help keep your kids healthy. We encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity to stay up-to-date on these important vaccines.”
Walk-in clinics will be held Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 5 to 8 p.m.; and Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Washington County is also hosting free catch-up vaccination clinics through its school-based health centers and Neighborhood Health Center locations in Beaverton and Tualatin. Appointments are strongly encouraged, and families should bring immunization records and any exclusion letters.
