GRANT COUNTY — The deadline for updating kids’ vaccinations is fast approaching.

Children may miss out on school or child care if their immunization records show missing shots or are not updated by the third Wednesday in February, known as School Exclusion Day, the Oregon Health Authority announced.

Under state law, children in public as well as private schools, preschools, Head Start and certified child care facilities must submit documentation proving that they are up to date on their required immunizations or have an exemption. This year, children will be sent home if their vaccination records do not show up-to-date immunizations by Feb. 21.

“Vaccine-preventable diseases can be highly contagious, with several cases of measles recently taking place in the Pacific Northwest and across the U.S.,” said Stacy de Assis Matthews, school law coordinator in OHA’s Public Health Division. “Immunizations remain the best way to stop that spread, keeping kids and school communities healthy and safe.”

Last year, local health departments sent 26,688 letters to parents and caregivers informing them that they need to submit records showing up-to-date immunizations for their children in the run-up to School Exclusion Day. That led to 4,048 children being unable to attend school until their families provided the necessary records.

This year, local public health authorities mailed reminder letters to families by Wednesday, Feb. 7.

Parents and caregivers seeking immunizations for their children should contact their health care provider or local health department. They can also get information by calling 211 on their phones or going to 211info.org online.

Nobody can be turned away from a local health department due to an inability to pay for required vaccines. Many pharmacists can immunize children ages 7 and older. OHA encourages families to contact their neighborhood pharmacy for more information.

Additional information about school immunizations can be found on the immunization program website at http://tinyurl.com/53jb6ky9. Vaccination data on schools and child care centers is available online at http://tinyurl.com/29pnenz9.