JOHN DAY – The Grant County Health Department is reminding parents that children immunizations are not up to date by “exclusion day” – Wednesday, Feb. 18, can be kept out of school.

The notice comes as recent measles outbreaks in the United States have refocused attention on vaccines and serious, preventable diseases like measles.

Lindsay Maghan, health department manager, said state law requires that children in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start and certified child-care facilities be up-to-date on their immunizations, unless they have an exemption.

Letters were sent to parents or guardians early this month if their child’s record shows he or she has not had required vaccinations.

Parents can get their child immunized by their health care provider or at the health department, and no one can be turned away from a local health department because of the inability to pay for required vaccines.

The department issued an update on measles, as concern rises about a couple of highly-publicized outbreaks – including one at Disneyland.

Maghan noted that in 2014, there were 644 cases of measles in the U.S., five in Oregon. This year, 68 cases were reported through Jan. 23, including one in Oregon, and the national tally had risen above 100 by the end of the month, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Maghan noted that measles is highly contagious and can be extremely serious, even fatal for some patients. While there is no specific treatment for measles, vaccination will protect against it.

“The best way to protect yourself and your family against measles and any vaccine-preventable disease is by immunization,” she said. “Children should receive the first dose of measles vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age, and another dose at kindergarten.”

The recent outbreaks are a concern because they pose a risk to infants who are too young to be vaccinated and others who are unable to get the vaccine because of medical problems. Health officials say high rates of vaccination is the best precaution against an epidemic.

Additional information on school immunizations can be found at http://1.usa.gov/OregonSchool or call the Grant County Health Department, 541-575-0429.