Children can’t be expected to make the right choices for themselves. Their parents or guardians must do their best.

And more and more parents in Oregon are choosing to claim nonmedical exemptions for vaccinations.

The rate of kindergartners claiming nonmedical exemptions for required vaccinations has climbed to 8.8%, the highest rate ever in Oregon. The rate was 8.1% in 2023 and 6.9% in 2022. Oregon has had some of the highest rates of nonmedical exemptions in the country.

It’s not easy to opt out of Oregon’s vaccine requirements. It’s not that hard, either.

There’s no need to see a health care provider, though that’s an option.

The other option is to watch a video. The video can be a little tedious. It is not short. There is a requirement to do it in one sitting and for all the vaccinations where an exemption is sought. There’s isn’t anything like a quiz to see if the information is absorbed. The video is balanced, science-based information.

Then print out a form. Sign it at a school.

That’s basically it.

School immunization requirements in every state allow exemptions for medical reasons. Almost all states are similar to Oregon and allow exemptions based on personal beliefs or religious beliefs. There are exceptions.

For instance, California does not allow such exemptions.

Oregon Senate Bill 254 in 2021 would have removed the ability of parents to get exemptions for vaccinations for nonmedical reasons. It went nowhere. And there have been other attempts to tighten and loosen Oregon’s laws.

The most important bills that set Oregon’s policy were Senate Bill 132 from 2013 and Senate Bill 895 from 2015.

They actually tightened up Oregon’s policy, and yet Oregon has had some of the highest rates of nonmedical exemptions in the country.