February 7, 2020 10:10 a.m.
With School Exclusion Day coming up on Wednesday February 19th, officials at Aviva Health are encouraging parents to immunize their school-age children and teens.
A release from Aviva, said students will not be able to attend school or child care starting that day if their records on file show missing immunizations.
The release said parents can visit one of the health center’s locations in Roseburg, Sutherlin, Myrtle Creek, Glide, and Drain to get their children up to date on their shots. Hours of operation for each clinic is available at www.aviva.health/locations. Patients can also call 672-9596.
The release said immunizations protect people from deadly diseases like measles and chickenpox that over the years have claimed millions of lives.
Under state law, all children in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start, and certified child care facilities must have up-to-date documentation on their immunizations or have an exemption.
Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, a pediatrician at Aviva Health and chief medical strategist of Douglas Public Health, said “school exclusion is upon us”. He said “the good news is this year we sent fewer letters than ever before”. Dannenhoffer said letters were mailed out last Friday and likely delivered this week.
Once their children are up to date, parents or guardians may submit documentation of immunization to the school at any time on or after Exclusion Day and their children will immediately be allowed to return.