Multnomah County health officials are urging families to make sure their children’s immunization records are up-to-date ahead of Oregon’s vaccine catch-up deadline Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026.
Under state law, students in schools, preschools and childcare facilities who lack proper documentation of required vaccines will be unable to attend until their records are updated.
Each year, about 109,000 children and students in Multnomah County must meet immunization requirements. Families would have been sent a letter if their child’s vaccination records are incomplete. School exclusion warnings were sent to about 4,600 families on Feb. 4, 2026.
“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 can get their child’s shots at their regular healthcare provider. If you received a letter from school or the Health Department, bring it with you when you take your child to be vaccinated. If a child doesn’t have a regular healthcare provider, or if they can’t get an appointment, families can get them vaccinated at one of the County’s nine Student Health Centers (SHC). All children ages 5 to 18 can get vaccines for no out-of-pocket cost at any of these locations, regardless of insurance status or where the student attends school. Call the SHC to make an appointment.
"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 has seven primary care clinics that provide low- or no-cost vaccinations for children, including uninsured patients. Call 503-988-5558 to make a new patient appointment.
This year’s deadline carries added urgency amid recent reports of measles cases in the region and around the state. Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious health complications, particularly for young children. Unvaccinated children who are exposed to measles can be excluded from school and childcare for weeks, at least 21 days from their last exposure.
High community vaccination rates are essential to prevent widespread transmission. Health officials emphasize that two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the most effective defense against the virus, and they strongly encourage families to ensure their children have received both recommended doses.
Multnomah County’s catch-up vaccination clinics
Multnomah County and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) will co-host three special walk-in vaccination clinic events to help families meet the Feb. 25 deadline.
“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.”
These clinics are available to all children in childcare and all school-aged students with an exclusion letter. The clinics are free for families, including families whose insurance does not cover immunization. No ID or insurance is required.
These clinics are walk-in only; no appointments are available. Families should be prepared for long wait times, as visits typically take at least one hour. Interpreters will be available. Families with questions can call 211 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Location: OHSU Richmond Clinic (3930 S.E. Division St., Portland)
- Saturday, Feb. 21: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, Feb. 24: 5 to 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 25: 9 a.m. to noon (Catch-up deadline day)
The following required immunizations will be offered: diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP and Tdap), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), polio, pneumococcal and varicella (chickenpox).
Washington County’s catch-up vaccination clinics
Washington County’s School-based health centers (SBHCs) and Neighborhood Health Center (NHC) are also hosting free vaccination events. The clinics are free for families, including families whose insurance does not cover immunization. No ID or insurance is required.
Families need to bring their child’s vaccine records and any immunization letters they received from their school. Appointments are strongly encouraged; walk-in availability is not guaranteed. Please call the numbers below to schedule an appointment.
Beaverton (Merlo Station Campus, NHC): (503) 941-3210
- Feb. 23, 24 and 25: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed noon to 12:30 p.m.
- Feb. 26: 8 a.m. to noon
1841 S.W. Merlo Drive, SBHC Room, Beaverton
Tualatin (NHC): (503) 941-3180
- Feb. 20 and 23: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed noon to 12:30 p.m.
- Feb. 24: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed 1 to 1:30 p.m.
- Feb. 25: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed noon to 12:30 p.m.
- Feb. 26: 8 a.m. to noon
22300 S.W. Boones Ferry Road, Room 26A, Tualatin
The business hours above are specifically for catch-up clinics. You can still schedule general appointments Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Find more details on how to make an appointment through NHC and Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center clinics, as well as other Washington County SBHCs, using the following links:
- https://nhcoregon.org/services/school-based-health-centers/
- https://virginiagarcia.org/locations/#SBHC
- https://ow.ly/TWjX50UFNlV
Clackamas County’s catch-up vaccination clinic
- Feb. 21: noon to 4 p.m.
Clairmont Hall, Clackamas Community College, 19600 Molalla Ave., Oregon City
Vaccines are available for:
- Children enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan (OHP)
- Children without health insurance
- Children who are American Indian or Alaska Native
Clackamas County is unable to vaccinate children with private health insurance at this event. There is no cost to receive a vaccine. Walk-in only, no appointments necessary. Please bring any immunization records you have to the clinic. A parent or guardian must be present to sign a consent form for children under 15 years of age. Email questions to immunizations@clackamas.us.