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Parents urged to update children’s immunizations

Officials with the Oregon Immunization Program are encouraging parents to check to make sure their children are immunized.

Children whose records show that they are missing immunizations may not be able to attend school or child care until the medical records are updated.

The law

Under state law, all children in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start and certified child care facilities must have up-todate documentation on their immunizations or have an exemption.

“Immunization is the best way to protect children against vaccine-preventable diseases such as whooping cough and measles,” Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Division School Law Coordinator Stacy de Assis Matthews said. “Just a few years ago, we saw several measles cases in the Northwest, and

Central Ohio just experienced a severe measles outbreak with more than 30 unvaccinated children hospitalized. There also were recent polio cases in New York state. We don’t want another disease outbreak in Oregon of on top of COVID-19. Immunizations are the most effective way to stop the spread of measles and other diseases, to keep kids and school communities healthy and safe.”

If a child’s school and child care vaccination records are not up to date by Feb. 15, the child will be sent home if they don’t have an exemption. In 2022, local health departments sent 26,149 letters to parents and guardians informing them that their children needed immunizations to stay in school or child care.

A total of 5,118 children were kept out of school or child care until the necessary immunization information was turned in to the schools or child care facilities. This year, reminder letters to parent will be mailed by Feb. 1. COVID-19 vaccinations are not required for students in Oregon schools or child care. OHA strongly recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19

immunizations. Parents can check with their health care provider or pharmacist about current COVID-19 recommendations.

What parents need to do

Parents seeking immunizations for their children should contact their child’s pediatrician or local health department or contact info by dialing 211 or visiting to 211info.org. No one can be turned away from a local health department because of the inability to pay for required vaccines. Many pharmacists can immunize children 7 and older; parents can contact their neighborhood pharmacy for details.

Additional information about school immunizations can be found at the Immunization Program website. Statewide school vaccination data is available on the OHA website, or at OHA’s new School Law Immunization Dashboard.

Personal stories about why people in Oregon are deciding to vaccinate can be viewed by visiting OHA’s Facebook and Twitter pages. OHA also invites people to join the conversation and share why they vaccinate by using the hashtag #ORVaccinates on social media.

Under state law, all children in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start and certified

facilities must have up-to-date

Klick receives Community Impact Award

Columbia County resident Larry Klick has received the first St. Helens School District (SHSD) Community Impact Award.

The award was created as a way for the SHSD board to recognize outstanding individuals, including students, staff, and community members, for their contributions to the community. Klick was selected for his years of dedication, commitment, and service to the St. Helens School District students and programs.

“I have known Larry Klick for a very long time,” SHSD Superintendent Scot Stockwell said. “As a young Athletic Director 20 plus years ago, Larry was my go-to man to help at any event. He knew the procedures and systems to run sporting events better than I did, as he had already done them for years. I have to say that Larry might be one of the kindest, most humble, and most giving people I have met. He has been a St. Helens Sports Booster for many years and

has dedicated thousands upon thousands of hours to our students and community with a smile.”

The SHSD has issued a release that includes statements from other individuals who know Klick. The following are a few of those comments.

“Larry is one of the most selfless individuals in St. Helens. He always volunteers to announce track events and run the scoreboards at wrestling, softball, and basketball,”

Cory Young wrote. “Every time you see Larry, he is excited to talk to you and learn how ‘those lions’ are doing; he loves the school and community. In 21 years, it is hard to recall not being at a game or contest (rain or shine) and not seeing Larry volunteering his time to help our programs.”

“I have worked with Larry on many occasions as a volunteer for some games,” Alan Holinbeck wrote. “If I could think of a word that best describes

Larry, it would be dedicated. He lives to see these St. Helens kids succeed. He has been doing this for a long time with very little recognition. He certainly deserves any kudos that might come his way.”

“Larry lives in Scappoose with his cats and spends most of his time today watching the big races and working with the booster club,” Stan Girard wrote. “Even though Larry lives in Scappoose, he is very familiar with the his-

tory between St. Helens and Scappoose (Seven Mile War). Larry has mentioned that his least favorite moments as a scorekeeper are the ones against Scappoose. There is always a little more tension in the air. One of the first contests Larry had was against Scappoose.

Larry made a small mistake and the crowd was on him pretty bad. Larry has never forgiven them for how they acted. Larry has always maintained that we treat both the home team and the

Courtesy from

visiting team with the same respect. Always reminding the announcer to include the visiting team’s results as well as the home team’s. Larry has no kids, and St. Helens High School sports and interaction with the student-athletes are what keep him young. Larry is always an hour early before games so he can be prepared to do his job.”

Klick was presented the award during the SHSD Board meeting Wednesday, Jan. 25.