Data shows record low compliance from Oregon families with kindergarten vaccine requirements

Oregon’s kindergarten vaccine compliance hit a record low in 2026, with 10.9% of children receiving nonmedical exemptions—up from 9.7% the previous year and 6.9% in 2021-22. Combined with medical exemptions, only 85.6% of kindergarteners are up to date on required vaccines, falling short of the 93% needed for herd immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella. The Oregon Health Authority reported 23 measles cases in the state this year, nearly all involving unvaccinated individuals or those with only one dose. Health officials attribute the decline in vaccination rates to a decade-long trend, with the sharpest drop occurring post-COVID-19 pandemic. The measles vaccine’s second dose saw exemption rates rise over 90% since 2016, while the DTaP vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough) also faced increased avoidance. Howard Chiou, medical director for communicable diseases at the Oregon Health Authority, warned that high state-level vaccination rates can mask risks at individual schools. He urged parents to check their child’s school’s immunization data, as more than one-third of Oregon schools with 10 or more students fail to meet the 93% threshold for measles immunity. Oregon lawmakers recently passed legislation to ensure health insurers cover vaccinations, regardless of federal guidance shifts. The state also joined the West Coast Health Alliance, which opposes CDC vaccine advisory recommendations influenced by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine skeptic. Experts fear the trend could lead to resurgences of preventable diseases like measles and polio. Oregon’s data reflects a broader national decline in vaccine confidence, with officials emphasizing the need for proactive measures to protect public health.