Understanding The New Vaccine Policy And What It Means For Oregon Families

Major shifts in U.S. vaccine guidance have created one of the most significant changes in national immunization policy in decades. These changes affect everything from routine childhood vaccines, such as flu shots, to COVID-19 boosters with direct implications for the health of families, school requirements, and how you can access vaccines.

Below is a breakdown of the key policy changes and what changed, why it matters, and how Oregon is responding.

1. Federal Overhaul of Childhood Vaccine Recommendations

What Changed:

In January 2026, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the removal of 6 previously recommended immunizations: influenza (flu), rotavirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and meningococcal disease. These vaccines are no longer universally recommended for children. Instead, they are now targeted only to high-risk groups or placed into a shared clinical decision-making model where parents or caregivers consult their healthcare provider. 

Both federal and private insurance will still cover immunizations the CDC no longer universally recommends, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That means parents will not have to pay out-of-pocket if they still want their child to receive the vaccinations listed above. 

Why This Matters:

Traditionally, the CDC provided a single unified set of routine recommendations that pediatricians, schools, insurers, and parents/caregivers followed. This sudden rollback, which was made without review by the agency’s usual expert advisory committee, has raised concerns among public health experts, clinicians, and state health officials. Critics warn that fewer recommended vaccines could increase outbreaks of preventable diseases and create confusion about what shots children truly need.

In Oregon:

Currently, Oregon’s public health authorities have refused to adopt the new reduced federal schedule. Through the West Coast Health Alliance, Oregon continues to endorse the more comprehensive vaccine recommendations supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), in line with California and Washington in direct contrast with the CDC changes. 

For families, that means pediatricians in Oregon will likely continue to recommend the broader set of childhood vaccines even if the CDC no longer lists them as universally recommended. Parents should discuss with their pediatrician which immunizations are still widely endorsed and recommended. 

2. COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance Has Shifted

National Level Changes:

Federal agencies, including the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), have moved away from broadly recommending COVID-19 vaccines for all age groups to a model where individuals consult their healthcare provider to decide if they should get the vaccine.

The FDA limited approval for updated COVID-19 vaccines to older adults (65+) and people with certain medical conditions, meaning healthy younger people no longer have universal eligibility for COVID-19 boosters under FDA guidance.

Oregon’s Approach:

Through the coordinated West Coast Health Alliance, Oregon and neighboring states worked to maintain easy access to COVID-19 vaccines. Oregon’s rules now generally allow anyone aged 6 months and older to receive the updated COVID vaccine without cost-sharing, and pharmacies can provide vaccines under public health standing orders, making it easier for families to receive the booster through clinics and pharmacies. 

What This Means for Oregon Families:

• Access: COVID vaccines remain widely accessible in Oregon through providers and pharmacies.
• Cost: Most health plans in Oregon cover COVID vaccination with no out-of-pocket cost under current insurance rules.
• Decision-making: Rather than a universal “everyone should get it,” the guidance leans toward personalized discussions about benefit and risk.

3. Oregon School Vaccination Requirements and Documentation Rules

Even as federal recommendations shift, Oregon state law still has specific requirements families must mean, especially for children in schools and childcare. 

Changes to School Rules (2025-2026): 

• Exclusion Day Date Adjusted: The date by which families must submit vaccine records for school compliance moved from mid-February to the fourth Wednesday in February each year, giving families additional time to ensure documentation or valid exemptions is provided. You can find the required documentation required on your district’s website.
• Stricter Chickenpox Immunity Documentation: Oregon no longer accepts a signed parental history of chickenpox disease as proof of immunity. Instead, formal medical documentation from a provider or lab is required. 

Why This Matters:

Oregon’s school vaccination rules still enforce immunization against diseases like measles, polio, pertussis, tetanus, and others, which are required for school attendance. These rules are enforced regardless of shifts in CDC broad recommendations, meaning Oregon kids without up-to-date shots or approved exemptions can be excluded from school. 

Families should stay aware of documentation requirements and deadlines, especially when children enter kindergarten or enter new grade levels. You can find specific information on your local school’s deadlines and requirements on the school or district website. 

Bottom Line

• The federal government, through the CDC and FDA, has reduced broad vaccine recommendations for 6 diseases and moved COVID-19 guidance toward individualized decision-making.
• Oregon is not adopting the reduced federal childhood schedule. It continues to follow the guidelines endorsed by the AAP.
• School vaccination requirements and documentation rules remain in force in Oregon, and increasing exemption rates pose public health risks.
• Families should stay proactive with healthcare providers, keep accurate records, and understand both state and federal policy contexts.