Clatsop County Public Health announced on March 11 that local schools have achieved strong immunization rates, helping protect students against diseases such as measles.
The county reported that 90.5% of kindergarten students were fully vaccinated against measles in 2025, while 89.4% of all K–12 students met state immunization requirements the same year. Through coordinated outreach efforts, all students were brought into compliance in 2026. Between July 2025 and February 2026, Public Health provided vaccines to 187 children, with an additional 75 children receiving vaccines during a catch-up period in February 2026.
Officials say these high vaccination rates lower the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases spreading within schools and the wider community. Dr. Dee Nguyen, Clatsop County Health Officer, said, “Clatsop County’s strong vaccination coverage helps keep the risk to our community low. Prevention works. When families, schools, and healthcare providers work together, we protect our entire community.”
Vaccines are credited with protecting residents from serious illnesses such as polio, hepatitis, whooping cough, chickenpox, Hib, and measles—diseases that can cause severe complications for children and vulnerable individuals. The importance of maintaining high vaccination rates is underscored by a current measles outbreak in Oregon. Dr. Nguyen said, “Measles is one of the most contagious viruses because it spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. While vaccination eliminated routine measles circulation in the United States, we still see cases linked to international travel or areas with lower vaccination rates.”
The MMR vaccine is described as safe and highly effective; two doses provide about 97% protection against measles.
Clatsop County Public Health continues to work with local schools, healthcare providers, emergency services, and the Oregon Health Authority to maintain readiness and safeguard public health.
