In Deschutes County, only 61 percent of two year-olds have received all of their immunizations. The goal of the Deschutes County Health Department is to have every child immunized before they reach this age. Shots for Tots clinics open in September, a good time to catch children up on their immunizations.  

Child immunizations can prevent the spreading of pertussis (whooping cough) which has recently resurged. Pertussis is a serious, highly-contagious respiratory infection that can cause pneumonia, brain damage or death in infants and young children. Children who are not immunized against Pertussis are at a high risk of getting infected.

From 2000 through 2007, 62 percent of the pertussis cases in Oregon were of people 10 years of age or older. Hospitalization and death from pertussis (four in the past five years) have been limited to those less than one year of age. Young children usually catch pertussis from adults who have the symptom of coughing.

Shots For Tots clinics will begin operating next month to the general public, and your child may qualify for free immunizations. All clinics are held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

September 20, Sisters Elementary School, Sisters         

September 27, Hugh Hartman Middle School, Redmond

October 4, Highland Elementary School, Bend                                      

October 11, La Pine Middle School, La Pine

As the new school year approaches, the minimum immunization requirements for school age children, (grades kindergarten through 12) are:

1.  Diphtheria, Tetanus containing vaccine
2. Four doses of Polio vaccine
3. One dose of Varicella (chickenpox)
4. Two doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
5. Three doses of Hepatitis  B
6. Two doses Hepatitis A (Kindergarten, Preschool, child care and Headstart)
7. One dose Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis ( Tdap) vaccine (seventh-graders)

For more information about immunizing your child, please call 322-7400.