Oregon Public Broadcasting

Wednesday is the deadline for parents to get their kids immunized for school. As Kristian Foden-Vencil reports, the state will exclude children who haven't had their shots -- or an exemption.

State law requires all kids in public or private schools, or at preschools and child care, be up-to-date on their jabs. Parents can get an exemption for religious or medical reasons.

Stacey de Assis Matthews with the state 'Immunization Program' says it's not just a parent's personal decision.

Stacey de Assis Matthews: "Its' a bigger issue than just an individual decision, because we rely on everyone in society getting immunizations to protect our whole community."

That means protection for babies, who are too young to be immunized against infectious diseases, and people who are immuno-compromised.

Local health departments sent out about 35,000 warning letters last year. About 4000 kids missed a day or two of school.

The numbers were up because children now need two more vaccines -- Hepatitis A and Tdap -- for tetanus, diptheria and pertussis.